Growing potatoes in containers offers several benefits , particularly for nurseryman with limited blank or poor soil condition .

Containers earmark you to see the grow environs , include dirt quality , wet levels , and pest management . This method acting also makes harvesting easier , as you’re able to simply tip the container to get at the potatoes , decoct the risk of damage them during the process .

Additionally , container gardening can prevent issues like soil - borne diseases and overcrowding , lead in healthier plant and dear output . Plus , it ’s a commodious fashion to acquire potato in urban mount like balconies or terrace .

How to Grow Potatoes in Pots

1. Choosing the Right Container

potato need pot of room to rise , particularly in term of depth . Choosea containerthat is at least 12 inches ( 30 cm ) deep , but deeper is better . Some great container options admit :

Make certain the container has right drainage , as potatoes do n’t care squashy soil .

2. Selecting Seed Potatoes

Always use certified cum potato rather than store - bought ones , as they are barren of diseases . you may pick out from various varieties , including :

3. Preparing the Seed Potatoes

Cut the seed potatoes into pieces if they are enceinte , making indisputable each piece has at least one or two “ eye ” or buds .

Let them dry for a day or two to heal over the cut surfaces , which aid prevent rot .

4. Choosing the Right Soil

white potato need loose , well - drain land that ’s rich in organic matter . you could either use a eminent - quality potting premix or make your own by mixing :

insure the soil is slightly acidic ( pH between 5.0 and 6.0 ) for the effective growth .

5. Planting the Potatoes

6. Watering

Solanum tuberosum need logical moisture but not waterlogging . Keep the soil moist , specially as the works grow , but avoid overwatering .

pose your finger into the soil to suss out the moisture level . Water the plant life when the top 2 - 3 inches ( 5 - 7 curium ) of soil find wry .

7. Hilling the Potatoes

As your white potato plants grow and strive about 6 - 8 inches ( 15 - 20 cm ) in elevation , add more soil around the al-Qaida , covering the lower stems .

This is know as “ hilling ” and helps protect the developing tuber from sunlight , which can turn them greenish and toxic . stay on hilling until your container is full or until the plants hold back mature taller .

8. Fertilizing

Potatoes are heavy feeders , so fertilizing is fundamental to a successful harvest . Use a balanced plant food ( 10 - 10 - 10 ) or one specifically formulated for ancestor vegetables .

Apply the plant food consort to the software program command during planting and again halfway through the spring up season .

9. Providing Sunlight

position your containers in a location that receives full sunlight—6 - 8 hour a twenty-four hours is idealistic . Potatoes want hatful of sunlight to produce healthy tubers , so verify the office is n’t shaded for long periods .

10. Pest and Disease Control

uncouth pests like aphid , Colorado potato beetles , and slugs may lash out your plants . Here ’s how to handle them :

To forbid diseases like blight , ensure right drainage and avoid overcrowding the flora . circumvolve your Irish potato craw each season and do n’t reuse the same soil for future potato crops to prevent dirt - borne diseases .

11. Harvesting Potatoes

Potatoes are quick to reap when the plant start to yellow and pall back , which normally happens about 10 - 12 weeks after planting for early varieties , or up to 20 weeks for maincrop motley . To harvest :

FAQ

Yes , growing potato in pots is a popular method acting , especially for gardeners with limited outer space . Choose large , deep pots ( at least 12 - 18 inches deep ) to let room for tubers to rise .

For a 10 - gallon container , plant 1 - 2 come potatoes . In large containers , you could plant more , but avoid overcrowd to give the plants enough room to mature .

you’re able to farm most types of spud in containers , admit former ( first earlies ) , 2d earlies , and maincrop variety . other varieties are typically preferred for pots because they mature faster .

Potatoes are unremarkably planted in early spring , about 2 - 4 workweek before the last expected Robert Frost . If you have a greenhouse or indoors area , you’re able to set about them even earlier .

Plant seed Solanum tuberosum about 4 - 6 column inch inscrutable in the pot . As the plant uprise , you could impart more soil around the stalk ( a process called “ hilling ” ) to advance genus Tuber production .

Solanum tuberosum need consistent moisture , so water on a regular basis but forfend overwatering . The stain should be moist but not soggy . Pots incline to dry out quicker than garden soil , so check the wet floor frequently .

For former murphy , harvest about 10 - 12 week after planting when the plants bloom . For maincrop varieties , wait until the plants start to die back , unremarkably around 15 - 20 weeks after planting .