Growing potatoes in a bucket is a great way to have a bountiful harvest of potatoes in a small space. By following these simple steps, you can have delicious potatoes to enjoy all season long.
Growing Potatoes in a Bucket
Choose a sturdy, food-grade plastic bucket with a tight-fitting lid. The bucket should be at least 18 inches deep and have drainage holes in the bottom.
Fill the bottom of the bucket with a few inches of gravel or small stones for drainage.
Add a layer of rich soil on top of the gravel. You can use a commercial potting mix or make your own by mixing together equal parts of peat moss, vermiculite, and compost.
Plant seed potatoes (small, whole potatoes or pieces of potatoes with at least one “eye” each) about 4 inches deep and 8 inches apart on top of the soil.
Cover the seed potatoes with a few inches of soil and add water to the bucket.
Place the bucket in a sunny spot, and keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
As the plants grow, add more soil to the bucket until it is filled to the top. This will help support the developing potato plants.
When the plants are about 6 inches tall, add a layer of straw or other organic mulch on top of the soil to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Keep an eye out for pests and disease, and take action as needed.
Once the plants have flowered and begun to die back, it is time to harvest your potatoes. Carefully dig through the soil to find the tubers, being careful not to damage them.
By following these steps, you can successfully grow potatoes in a bucket. Not only is this a space-saving solution, but it also allows for more control over the growing conditions for your potatoes.
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