How to Grow a Lot of Potatoes in Bags

Potatoes don’t have to take up your garden space, you can grow them in bags or containers.

Growing potatoes in bags has become a popular method for many gardeners, as it offers an easy and space-saving alternative to traditional gardening. This technique allows both beginners and experienced growers to cultivate potatoes in a controlled environment with minimal effort. By using grow bags, one can optimize the growing conditions to produce a bountiful harvest while also reducing the risk of pests or disease.

Using grow bags for potatoes provides numerous benefits, such as improved aeration, better drainage, and easier harvesting. Potatoes grown in bags also have fewer issues with soil-borne diseases and pests that can negatively affect traditional in-ground crops. Moreover, this method can be a great solution for those with limited garden space or living in urban areas, as the bags can be placed on balconies, patios, or other small outdoor spaces.

To successfully grow potatoes in bags, it’s important to select the right size of grow bag, use a proper soil mix, and provide the potatoes with the necessary nutrients and moisture. By closely monitoring the plants’ growth and following the recommended care guidelines, one can expect to harvest a healthy and plentiful potato crop at the end of the season.

Choosing the Right Equipment

Selecting Grow Bags

When choosing a grow bag for potatoes, consider the size and material. Grow bags come in various sizes, with the smallest ones holding 5 gallons and fitting one small seed potato. A more common size for potato grow bags is 10-15 gallons, measuring at least 20 inches wide. Large potato grow bags can hold 20 gallons or more and accommodate multiple potato plants.

Materials for grow bags can range from plastic sacks, often used for compost, to hessian sacks or coffee bags. Plastic sacks can be reused for several years, while hessian or burlap sacks will biodegrade when no longer usable.

Seed Potatoes

Selecting the right seed potatoes is crucial for a successful potato crop. When choosing seed potatoes, look for:

Healthy, disease-free tubers

Varieties suited to your climate and growing conditions
Tubers with at least 1-2 eyes per piece

Remember to space the seed potatoes 10 inches apart in the grow bag, with the eyes facing upward.

Potting Mix

The potting mix plays an essential role in growing potatoes. When selecting a suitable potting mix, consider the following factors:

Drainage: A well-draining mix prevents waterlogging and root rot
Fertility: A nutrient-rich mix promotes healthy growth and tuber development

Texture: A loose and aerated mix allows roots to grow easily and supports tuber expansion

Once you have selected the grow bag, seed potatoes, and potting mix, follow these steps:

Fill the grow bag with the potting mix, leaving enough space for the seed potatoes

Plant the seed potatoes with the eyes facing up
Cover the seed potatoes with 2 inches of potting mix
Water the grow bag well

As the plants grow, continue to add more potting mix to keep the tub developing potatoes covered. This process, known as hilling, promotes a larger potato harvest.

Preparing Seed Potatoes and Soil

Chitting Process

Before planting seed potatoes, it’s important to go through the chitting process. Chitting is simply encouraging the seed potatoes to sprout shoots before planting them. To do this:

Choose healthy seed potatoes and remove any damaged or diseased ones.

Place the seed potatoes in empty egg boxes or a similar container, with the end having the most eyes facing upwards.
Store the containers in a cool, frost-free place with good light exposure, such as a windowsill or a greenhouse.
Once the seed potatoes have developed shoots about 1 inch long, they’re ready to be planted.

Potting Mix and Compost

When growing potatoes in a bag, the right soil mixture is crucial for a successful harvest. Follow these steps to prepare the potting mix and compost:

Combine a high-quality potting mix with well-rotted compost at a ratio of 3:1. This ensures a nutrient-rich and well-draining medium for the potatoes to grow in.
Moisten the soil mixture before adding it to the grow bag. The mixture should be damp but not soaking wet.

Fill the bottom of the grow bag with a couple of inches (5 cm) of the soil and compost mix.
Plant the prepared seed potatoes with the shoots facing up, and cover them with enough potting mix to conceal the tubers.
As the potatoes grow, continue to add more soil mixture, mounding it up around the plants. This encourages tuber development and prevents sunlight from reaching the potatoes, which can cause them to turn green and become toxic.

Make sure to water the potatoes regularly, keeping the soil moist but not saturated.

With proper care and attention, the potatoes will continue to grow, eventually providing a bountiful harvest. Simply wait for the leaves to turn yellow and wilt, which signals that the potatoes are ready for harvest.

Planting and Growing Potatoes

Planting Techniques

When planting potatoes in a grow bag, start by filling the bottom with a couple of inches (5 cm) of soil and compost mix. Place your seed potatoes on the soil, with the potato eyes facing up. Space them about 10 inches apart from each other and about 4 inches away from the sides of the bag. Cover the seed potatoes with 2 inches of soil and water them thoroughly.

Watering and Fertilizing

Potatoes require consistent moisture to grow properly. Check the soil regularly and maintain even moisture without over-watering. Fertilize your potatoes regularly with a balanced fertilizer, following the recommended application rates.

Layering Technique

As the potato plants start to grow, you’ll need to add more soil and compost mix to cover the sprouted greens. This process, known as “hilling” or “earthing up,” encourages the formation of more tubers and prevents them from being exposed to sunlight. Roll back the sides of the bag to let light in as the sprouts appear, and continue to add soil as the plants grow.

Pest Control

Look out for pests such as the Colorado potato beetle, which may cause damage to your potato plants. In case of an infestation, consider using organic pest control methods or insecticides to protect your potatoes. Regular monitoring and taking appropriate action will help keep pests under control.

Sunlight and Temperature

Potatoes grow best in full sun with at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. Ensure your grow bags are placed in a bright, frost-free location. Temperature is also essential for potato growth; the ideal range is between 60°F and 70°F. If temperatures are cooler, consider using a greenhouse or another method to provide warmth and protection to your growing potatoes.

Harvesting and Storage

Harvesting Potatoes

Harvesting potatoes from grow bags is a fairly simple process. Potatoes can be harvested any time after they flower, which usually occurs in mid- to late summer, or about 3 to 4 months from planting, depending on the variety. To harvest just a few potatoes, reach down into the grow bag and gently pull the largest tubers free without disturbing the other potatoes.

If you plan to harvest all the potatoes at once, follow these steps:

Stop watering the grow bag about a week before harvest to let the soil dry and make it easier to work with.
Lay out a tarp or sheet on the ground to collect the soil and potatoes.
Carefully empty the entire contents of the grow bag onto the tarp or sheet.

Sort through the soil, collecting the potatoes and discarding any that are damaged or show signs of rot.

Storing Potatoes

Proper storage of your harvested potatoes is essential for maintaining quality and preventing spoilage. Follow these tips for successful potato storage:

Allow the potatoes to cure for a few hours to a couple of days, depending on the weather. This will help to toughen their skin, making them less susceptible to rot and bruising.

Store potatoes in a dark, cool, well-ventilated place with a stable temperature between 45°F and 50°F (7°C and 10°C). Avoid exposing them to direct sunlight or large temperature swings, as this can cause them to sprout or rot.
Use a storage container that allows air circulation, such as a wooden box, wire basket, or mesh bag. Do not store potatoes in airtight containers or plastic bags, as this can trap moisture and promote rot.
Check on your stored potatoes regularly and remove any that show signs of spoilage to prevent it from spreading to other potatoes.

By properly harvesting and storing your potatoes, you’ll be able to enjoy your homegrown crop for months to come.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Drainage Issues

One of the main challenges when growing potatoes in bags is ensuring proper drainage. Poor drainage can lead to root rot and negatively affect potato growth. Here are some solutions to tackle drainage issues:

Make sure your grow bags have drainage holes at the bottom. If not, create a few holes by puncturing the bag with a sharp tool.

Fill the bottom of the bag with a 2-inch layer of coarse gravel or perlite. This helps improve drainage and prevents waterlogging.
Avoid overwatering the plants. The soil should be consistently moist but not soaking wet.

Greening of Potatoes

When potatoes are exposed to sunlight, they can develop a green coloration, which indicates the presence of toxic solanine. To prevent greening, follow these tips:

Ensure your potatoes are fully covered with soil throughout the growing process. As the plants grow, keep adding soil to keep the tubers submerged.
Place your grow bag in a location that receives ample sunlight for the leaves but keeps the soil shaded. Use a cover or shade cloth if necessary.
Harvest potatoes when they reach the desired size, and store them in a cool, dark place.

Frost Management

Potatoes are susceptible to frost damage, which can significantly impact their growth and yield. Here are some frost management techniques:

Choose a frost-resistant potato variety, such as Charlotte or Sarpo Mira, to increase your chances of a successful harvest.
Place your grow bag in a sheltered location that’s protected from harsh weather conditions or move the bags indoors if temperatures are expected to drop significantly.

Use a frost cloth, bubble wrap, or a similar insulating material to cover your grow bag and protect the plants from sudden temperature drops.

Alternative Methods

Growing Potatoes in a Greenhouse

Growing potatoes in a greenhouse environment allows for easier control of the temperature and humidity levels to maximize the growth and yield of the potato plants. To get started, follow these steps:

Choose a suitable container, such as a large pot or grow bag, and fill it with high-quality compost, leaving some space at the top for adding more compost later.

Plant your chitted seed potatoes in the container, burying them 3 to 4 inches deep and spacing them about 12 inches apart.
Keep the greenhouse temperature around 60-65°F (15-18°C) during the day and 45-50°F (7-10°C) during the night.
Ensure proper ventilation to avoid the growth of mold or fungus.

Water the containers regularly, enough to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
As the plants grow, add more compost to cover the emerging foliage and continue doing so until the container is filled.

Using a Wheelbarrow

A wheelbarrow can be a practical container for growing potatoes, particularly if you have limited space or want to move the plants around your garden. Here’s how to grow potatoes in a wheelbarrow:

Start by ensuring the wheelbarrow has proper drainage by drilling a few holes in the bottom if needed.
Fill the wheelbarrow with a mix of compost and garden soil, leaving a few inches at the top for adding more soil later.
Plant your chitted seed potatoes about 3 to 4 inches deep and about 12 inches apart in the soil.

Water the potatoes regularly, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged.
As the plants grow, add more soil to the wheelbarrow to cover the new growth, and continue doing so until the wheelbarrow is full.

Growing Potatoes on a Patio

Growing potatoes on a patio can be an excellent way to utilize available space and enjoy a harvest of fresh potatoes. Here’s how to do it:

Choose an appropriate container, such as a large pot, grow bag or even a recycled plastic bin with drainage holes.
Fill the container with a high-quality compost mix, leaving some room at the top for adding more compost later.
Plant your chitted seed potatoes in the container, spacing them about 12 inches apart and burying them 3 to 4 inches deep.

Place the container in a sunny spot on your patio, ensuring that the area gets at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
Water your potatoes regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
As the plants grow, add more compost to cover the emerging foliage, continuing to do so until the container is filled completely.