How to Grow Potatoes in Containers

Last Updated on January 4, 2022 by Real Men Sow

Potatoes and sweet potatoes are usually grown directly on the ground, however, not everyone has space for growing them. This post will show you how to grow potatoes in containers. Growing your potatoes in containers has benefits such as freedom from soil-borne pests and diseases such as eelworm and scab. You can also rest your back from all the digging on the ground. In containers, you can also properly label your best potato varieties and not mix them altogether. 

Harvest Potatoes

What You Need To Consider When Growing Potatoes in Containers

The size of a container must be according to each potato plant you’ll grow and one potato plant needs 10 liters. If you push to grow more than one potato plant in a 10-liter container, you’ll only end up getting small spuds. There are potato-growing sacks that can hold three potato plants. Make sure that the container of your choice has adequate drainage holes too. 

It’s best to grow the first and second early varieties that can give you the advantage of being done before a potato blight threat in summer. 

The potatoes need to be well watered, since they’re grown in containers, they don’t have the luxury to chase soil moisture. 

How to Grow Potatoes in Containers

The first thing you’ll need to do is to sprout your newly bought seeds. Lay your tubers with eyes facing up. They need to be placed in a light but cool place and in a supportive container like an egg box. 

Additional drainage materials like crocks or broken-up polystyrene at the base of your container. Fill the container about 10cm of your growing medium and add multipurpose compost combined with good garden soil and your own garden-made compost.  

Your potato seeds shall be spaced evenly in your container. Add a layer of 10cm potting medium then don’t forget to water and feed with your liquid feed once or twice a day.

How to Know When to Harvest Your Potatoes

You can know when it’s ready when you plunge your hand in your container and feel the roots around. Pull those that are big enough for your liking. Once the foliage begins to die down, you can tip out your container to gather the stragglers. 

By then, it’s your choice what to do with your homegrown potatoes. Enjoy and make the most out of them. 

Real Men Sow
Real Men Sow

Hello, I’m Pete and I’m currently based in the west of Scotland, in a small place called Rosneath, where I’m exploring my garden adventures. I personally started gardening around 6 years ago and initially, I started out by growing my favorite fruits and berries, such as strawberries, Raspberries & Gooseberries. Since then I’ve added a lot of vegetables and working closely with my neighbor, it’s been a lot of fun.