:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ms-growing-potatoes-in-containers-2f2717a0cf0f4227a9ba856ecd247e72.jpg?w=1024&resize=1024,0&ssl=1 "A Guide to Growing Potatoes in Containers")
Potatoes are a delicious vegetable you can easily grow at home—whether you have a garden or not. In fact, planting this crop in containers helps ensure a great harvest. When growing potatoes in pots, you have complete control over the soil composition and can effectively monitor for potential pests and diseases. What’s more, harvesting potatoes from containers is easier as it requires minimal digging. Ready to give this growing method a try? Ahead, gardening experts share what you need to know about growing potatoes in containers, from planting to harvest.
When to Plant Potatoes in Containers
When you plant potatoes depends on when you want to harvest them, according to Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of Park Seed’s From Seed to Spoon app, who offered these tips:
- For a summer harvest: Plant in the spring, two to four weeks before your area’s last frost date.
- For a fall harvest: Plant in mid to late summer, about two to three months before the first frost date.
Whether for a summer or fall harvest, it’s important to plant potatoes in warm soil for them to sprout—if the soil is too cold, they may rot.
Type of Container to Use When Growing Potatoes
When choosing a container to grow your potatoes in, select one that has a capacity of 10 to 15 gallons and is 2 to 3 feet deep. If potato plants are grown too close together, they can compete for resources and it will ultimately affect growth and yield.
It’s also important to choose a container made from food-safe materials, says Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist at Colorado State University, adding that you shouldn’t use old tires because they can contain harmful chemicals. Barrels, garbage bins, plastic storage tubs, and fabric potato grow bags are all suitable containers.
Best Potato Varieties to Grow in Containers
When choosing potato varieties to grow in containers, consider their growth habit, size, and yield potential. “Some potato varieties are particularly well-suited for container gardening due to their compact growth and high yields,” says Spoonemore. Common varieties well-suited to containers include:
- Red potatoes
- Yukon Gold potatoes
- Fingerling potatoes
- Purple potatoes
- Ratte potatoes
How to Plant Potatoes in Containers
The easiest way to plant potatoes in containers is to cut them into pieces. Make sure each piece has at least one to two eyes. Let the pieces air dry for a day or so before planting, says Spoonemore.
- Fill a container with nutrient-rich, well-draining potting soil. Leave a few inches at the top of the container to hill the crop later.
- Plant seed pieces about 10 to 12 inches apart with the eyes facing up.
- Cover the planted seed pieces with 3 to 4 inches of potting mix.
- Water consistently, ensuring the soil is evenly moist throughout the growing season.
- Place your container in a sunny location.
- When the stems reach about 6 to 8 inches tall, start hilling by placing new soil around the stems.
- Repeat the process two to three times throughout the growing season at two to three-week intervals.
Hilling—in which you slowly pile up soil around the plant—is an important part of the potato growing process and helps protect the tubers as they develop.
How to Care for Potatoes in Containers
Ensure your potatoes stay healthy up until it’s time to harvest them by maintaining ideal growing conditions.
Sunlight
Potatoes require at least six to eight hours of full sun in order to thrive.
Soil
Grow potatoes in well-draining soil that is mixed with some organic matter, like finished compost, says Langelo. Ideally, the soil pH should be around 5.2 to 6.0.
Water
Potatoes require about 1 to 2 inches of water per week for proper growth and root development, says Spoonemore. Keep the soil consistently and evenly moist but not waterlogged. Potatoes need more water prior to being established. “Once the foliage starts to yellow and die back, reduce the watering frequency to avoid rotting,” says Spoonemore.
Temperature
Potatoes are a cool-season crop and should be planted in soil that is 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. “During the growing stage, the optimal temperature for potatoes is 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit,” says Spoonemore.
How and When to Harvest Potatoes in Containers
Potatoes are ready to be harvested once the plant produces flowers and the foliage turns yellow and dies back. To harvest, gently dig around the plant and remove the potatoes. Once harvested, your potatoes need time to cure. “Place them in the sun for several hours after harvesting,” says Spoonemore. “Then, place them in a cool, dark spot for a few days before using. Once cured, store the potatoes in a cool, dark place.”
