How to Grow: Potatoes in Pots / Homegrown Garden 

Old man here. Just wanted to say thanks for sharing. It's great to see anyone who grows food, connects with nature in this way and enjoys some hard work. People completely dependent on stores, living in the city just miss something that can't be put in words.

I realize this video was posted a while ago, but it helped me decide to plant potatoes in containers. After the flooding in California left my backyard overgrown with five feet high wild grass, I was mad. I'm old, use a cane therefore it's hard to pull grass and keep my balance. I used whatever I could find...cardboard boxes. I opened up both ends, dropped the potatoes down into each box and covered them up with good rich potting soil and manure. It was quick and not to difficult while holding onto my cane. I'm extremely thankful for your video because it gave me that push to just try it. I covered the boxes with soil around the bottom, and now the potatoes are shooting up through the soil. I planted twenty pounds of three varieties. I can't wait for September. I might be older than dirt and use a cane, but if there's a will there's a way. Thank you for teaching us.

I love how excited you are about planting potatoes. People don't understand my weird excitement about gardening, but until they garden themselves, they'll never understand.

My daughter and I have become custodians of my wife's garfen. She passed away in May, and her garden was the thing that gave her the most pleasure. She created an amazing gsrden frim a yard ifcweeds and clay soil ober th ed past 2 years. Sadly she never got to see the incredible harvest all her hard work produced. She was amazing. and I promised to care for the garden before she passed away. Potatoes were one veggie she wanted to try, but never got around to planting, so next year, we are doing potaties in pots instead of as many squash and cucumbers, which were oretty much destroyed by squash bugs. I love your merhid of growing potatoes, and that's what we'll be doing! I'm almost embarrassed, because I have cousins in Idaho that grow potatoes on their farms. You'd think I' d know all about them!

Hi, a little tip from Sweden When you have eyes on both sides of the potatoes, cut them in half instead and place them with the cutside down in good soil indoors.The potatoes will grow roots ,perfect for outdoor planting and will give good harvest and you will also have twice as many potatoes to plant Thanks for a nice program

I’m a old gardener of many years and have been growing potatoes in pots for many years Congratulations to the lady for her informative and uncomplicated video on growing in pots 👏👏👏👏👍🏽👍🏾👍

Home grown fresh potatoes are great. I’m growing in bags this year, as well as the earth. I drove my daughter across the country to Portland when she left home after my wife died. We were rounding a bend on the interstate when my daughter said, “Dad, I smell french fries." Then the Ore Ida plant came into view. There were dump trucks below the highway full of potatoes. It was an amazing sight for an Illinois flatlander. Growing things is good for your soul. I keep vases at my regular coffee shop and bring them flowers throughout the spring and summer.

At last ive found a video from someone who gets straight to the point and doesnt waffle on and who also answers questions which are relevant. Thank you👍

I am 64 , not as strong as I use to be…..so I just RECYCLE saved PAPER feed sacks! 🐓. Poke 4 holes! Sit 8 sacks 2 across, 4 long( rolled down top half before filling ) with WOOD CHIPS BOTTOM 1-2”, raised bed soil and sack is stabilized). As sacks decomposed and soil settles plants grow; you will end up with a slightly raised permanent garden bed! Free start,low work kills weeds underneath sack!!

Great video, so nicely done! Tip: If your containers do not already have drainage holes, drill them 2 or 3 inches up from the bottom instead of right at the bottom. This helps to prevent them from drying out completely, as they can accumulate a bit of water in the base.

We grow ours in an old animal trough. Still eating sweet potatoes from last year. So satisfying 🥰

There is nothing like growing your own food. No poisonous chemicals and they taste great

This is going to our first year growing spuds in pots. Gathering research. This is clear and nicely put together. Thank you.

Thank you! I live in a paved around house and I grow in pots Tomatoes, herbs, beets. But I didn't know you can grow potatoes in pots -this is lovely

I also grow my potatoes in pots but I cover them with about 2 inches of wood chips as that helps retain heat in the cold weather and moisture during the summer months. Happy gardening🤗

I don’t know why but I can’t help but smile through the video. Your demeanor, presentation and appearance is just really joyful. ❤🙏🏻

It's a nice easy thing to do with kids - especially the reveal later in the year to see how many potatoes you got. I put a fairly thick mulch over the top of the compost to stop the pots drying out so quickly - bark, straw or even grass clippings will do the job

I appreciate the video here. I do things a bit differently growing although differently doesn't always mean better, or worse, just differently. I still plant in containers, however, I use smaller containers. The grow method I happened across a while back suggests using 4 litre containers. Before the soil/compost goes in I line the container with plastic shopping bags. The article I happened across suggested using 2 plastic shopping bags, 1 inside of the other to line the inside of the container. The rest is pretty much the same with the exception being that you can pull the bags out of the container to check growth, and harvest accordingly actually harvesting as the potatoes grow. The writer of the article suggested checking after 2 weeks of planting to check the growth rate, then 4-6+ weeks later to check for potatoes that may have formed. The article also suggested starting with 4-5 containers to rotate harvesting times. This works out great during the growing season because one can always have fresh product without having to store any. The smaller containers can also be brought inside during the colder winter months if there is space for growing them inside with enough light, and warmth. It was also suggested to poke holes in the bags prior to planting for drainage to limit overwatering, that could lead to the plants potentially rotting.

This year is the first year I have mulched my pots with straw and it's made a massive difference to how much I need to water! Been a week since I last watered and they're still moist 😁

Definitely going to try this. I grew spuds in a hessian sack last year... worked out ok. Started with the bag rolled down, then I kept filling the bag with compost as they grew up and unfurled the bag bit by bit. My friend who told me about the sack method grew his potatoes in a stack of tyres 😆

Omgoodness! Potatoes are so freaking easy to grow. I tried the first time this year. I'm in central west Florida so I planted my starts in the beginning of Feb. I got a nice harvest just yesterday even before they flowered (I was too excited to wait since it was my first time). I did no till just planting then in piles of compost because Tampa soil is just sand lol. It was so easy and so fun. I can't wait until fall to plant them again :)

If you live near cattle ranches you can buy used mineral buckets that hold 20 gallons, you just have to drill drainage holes in the bottoms, they hold a good amount of spuds (or whatever else you want to grow in containers), stack well when not in use, are very sturdy and will last for many years. We bought 20 of them for $100, MUCH cheaper than garden pots and ranchers are always happy to sell them.

I grew some supermarket potatoes in my garden last year. Noticed two new potato plants in my garden coming up. Guess I missed them during harvest last year 😁 Glad2hear Im not the only one.

Hi it's Derek Price here, This year the potatoes I'm growing in order harvesting are Swift, Charlotte, Nicola and Cara in 30L pots. Also I've just watched your video on reorganising your shed. It looks lovely. Like you, my seed storage leaves a bit to be desired so I'm going to take up the idea that you have by putting my packets in a file within a case; very similar to yours. Thanks so much for the pointers on the seed case and small shed light.

My interest in Gardening has suddenly peaked 💓

her positive attitude and disposition is addicting

When I was on the ranch I use to cover the potatoes with straw and they turned out great but I'm living in an apartment here in Central Florida and I just planted some in 5 gallon pots they are about 2 foot tall now , they have been planted about two weeks .😇

Just started a small back garden. Thanks for all your tips for growing in pots how easy and efficient this method is. Being able to move them around is a bonus when space is of a premium.

I’ve learned so much from watching your channel. I started growing my potatoes in containers last year and they were fabulous!

Just going for it for the first time, with pots and pots, lovely clear no faff instructions thank you so much x

The egg cartons are a good idea for storing them while waiting for the to be ready.

Many thanks for this tutorial Katrina! Living in France we cannot buy an eatable potato, so we are driven by desperation to growing our own, very much looking forward to trying this method as we will have control over the growing conditions from the start, as there is no earth where we are the compost in pots seems like a very good solution to our problem. Chris B.

I use old compost sacks, turned inside out and folded down a third or so. Holes in the bottom for drainage. This year its Una second earlies and some Pink Fir Apple for fun. Might try Cara next year. Enjoyed the video, thanks.

Great video. It made me think. The first crop I ever grew myself was potatoes. I was 7 years old back in 1967. It got me hooked on gardening for life.

I grow mine in tubs but line the bottom with scaffold net to keep the slugs out, they are a lot cleaner in a pot too👍

Your video is really educational and a great beginner tool for anyone who wants to learn how to grow potatoes. Thank you very much!

Hello from a fellow Brit now living in Charlotte, NC, USA. I’m using the buckets that our cat litter came in. They’re ideal. I have 15 buckets planted with Yukon Gold.

What a great video. When you said "you just dump them out" my brain exploded lol. How many potatoes have I sliced to death. I will definitely be doing something like this for my garden now.

This is how I learned to grow potatoes from my mom who grew her potatoes in pots on her condo patio

Hello! Just a note to say I’ve just started growing potatoes in pots this spring. I just finished growing my first plant and have dugout a number! Thank you for sharing this with us.

And all of a sudden I am interested in gardening 😍

Brilliant video, I moved in late February so by the time I got ready to start growing my tats I’d run out of money for new big tubs so I used old compost bags with drainage holes cut in the bottom and I have to say they grew really well

I use 8x2 timber to make a raised bed, lay cardboard on the ground and then fill the bed with compost so similar to how you do it. I've had great results with mushroom compost, its so easy to harvest. Enjoyed the video

thats it im off to get 3 tatties and a bucket wish me luck my first ever attempt you have inspired me

I just love the pleasure in your face brings me joy. Bless you

This video was exactly what I needed. So entertaining!

Hi Katrina, I am new to gardening just wanted to post a comment to say thanks for the tips and recommendations on growing in pots. I'm definitely going to give this method a try. I have subscribed to your channel too. Thanks for explaining everything in a way that even rookie gardeners like myself can understand.

I live in the USA in North Carolina & we have a white mountain potato called Kennebec... BEST tasting potato I have put in my mouth.! I too use the 17gal toy tubs purchased at Walmart & I do think after watching you that I may have planted way too many pot chits in mine, like 6-8 in a 17gal tub. I always cut the potato in several pcs if there are more than 1 chit making sure that each pc has a chit on it... that way it gives more potatoes for planting. Then I lay all potato pcs in a flat box, cut side up in the open air, making sure the air is blowing on them or the sun is on them to dry them well so they will not rot... Some people rub Ash on the fresh cut side so they won't rot, but as for me I'll stay with the daily drying out method 😊.. It is February here & cold some days yet reaching down into 20's at night but got up to 60deg today. Unbelievable weather!! This is still perfect time to plant potatoes. I thank you for taking the time to show what you used as far as the soil goes & the blood bone mixture... I will be looking to purchase some. Thank you kindly❤❤

May 2022, my first year of growing a garden and this video popped up and what a brilliant video👏I am growing potatoes but wasn't sure of what I should and not do and this video was so helpful. Many thanks 😍

We’re trying our first potatoes in bags this year. Thank you for the great advice about soil topping up not being essential. We shall try your method next year. I just wish I had found your channel sooner. ❤

If you put painter's tape on your plant labels you can just label the painters tape and then next year just put another piece of tape over the other and label again.

I grew a potato plant in pile of stones once. Not intentionally - I just waited till the tops had died down and there was one clean very large potato in the middle. The roots going down into the soil. Quite amazing!

Tip for free containers: green grocers give styrofoam boxes away for free if you ask for them. They’re about 25 litres, and if you cut the bottom out of one you can stack them to double the size. I also get free large bags (about 50 litres size) from horse stables; the bags used to contain horse feed and they need to get rid of them so are happy to give them away.

I love growing potatoes in Containers Katrina so many benefits and will never go back to just growing in the ground. Awesome video and Congrats on 50k subs :)

I ran out of pots this year so used a couple of supermarket bags for life which I had cuts drainage into. My best crops actually came from these bags

Great to watch - I planted mine 2 days ago , good to know I didn’t miss anything vital..... but I’ll take the tip about keeping them moist 🤓

I planted two potatoes today, I can't wait to see them grow 😍

I'm going to try growing my potatoes in pots this year thank you for sharing your gardening knowledge 🙂

Thank you for this great video. No one has ever mentioned how often to water planted potatoes. Your video is very easy to follow. Thanks again.

Just planted my first potatoes, probably wrong time of year but keen to see how they go 😀

You smiling the whole video made me happy by the end. Thank you.

Most of my potatoes are in ground but I do have four 17 gallon tubs also. varieties: superior, kennebec, rio grande russet and yukon gold. Thinking of getting a cattle panel to put above the in ground bed to help manage the plants. I will also have sweet potatoes starting in mid May. Eight 17 gallon tubs of those and about 50 slips will be grown in ground between rows of sweet corn. Last year, my in ground potatoes produced better than the containers but the container are definitely easier to harvest from(for the reasons you stated). We'll see how it goes this year. BTW: you hit 50K...nice

I could listen to her all day. Great presentation, great information

What a fabulous video! I am growing potatoes in pots this year for the first time and this has been a very informative video for me, thank-you. I am really surprised that you don't pile up your plants as they grow, I always thought that was a must for potato growing. I live in NZ and we are now into Spring so lots of exciting planting going on - thanks again for this!

watching this I have decided to have another try at potatoes - you made it seem so much easier..have now ordered everything and shall await with great anticipation to try again! Thank you!

Hi Katrina, I love your videos. I'm growing my potatoes in 3 ltr pots this year. It's the first time for both potatoes and tubs. In my new allotment (a new pre retirement venture), I am trying to grow vegetables for hubby and I, as well as our daughter and her hubby. Your videos help make me look like I know what I'm doing. lol, I don't. So, thank you so very, very much for sharing. Kim xx

First timer here. Just planted some in pots after seeing your video. Thanks for the inspiration :)

I really enjoyed watching your allotment on Gardener's World. I've been watching you for a while and enjoying seeing your garden. I'm watching from New Zealand, and I love seeing your Spring as we go into late Autumn. Thanks for putting this online.

I'm new to growing my own veg and fruit.. all your help is much appreciated

My name is Colleen 😁 have got an allotment now. And currently studying level 2 RHS course in horticulture. Hope to make this my carrier 🙂

I had no idea there were so many varieties of potatoes. This is my first viewing of your site and I will continue with enthusiasm 😊 I'm all alone in this world now at 90, and have a small garden at the rear of the house. but never known what to do with it since my Sweetheart passed some years back 😪

You have totally inspired me. I am growing my own potatoes for the first time and will soon plant out another batch for a late maincrop but I'm not sure what variety for planting out in late June. Definitely going to try the Cara potatoes next March/ April.

Thanks bought some caras today planting them out in buckets tomorrow thank youx

I appreciate your down to earth style and the pleasant sound of your voice... thank you for this information.... and you have a wonderful smile

Thank you! Not just beautiful, but an amazing soul!

Thank you for the informative video! Im getting a little old and digging potatoes is hard for me so this year I am going to try planting in containers. I think I will use compost and the meal just as you showed.

When i came to my current plot of land i had the same problem, i started to notice that the older neighbors used to plant cilantro, sage and even garlic with the potatoes. Did the same and those cheeky bugs disappeared. To boil usually plant Mondial, Monaliza , Vivaldi. To fry usually plant Asterix , Mozart and Romano. Amazing channel. Deo Gratias

This was very helpful and educational. I am growing my first crop of potatoes now so this was really helpful. Thank you so much.

This lovely lady is a dream wife. Someone is/will be lucky as hell! Thanks for the content! Wife and I are starting our bucket potaoes!

Good to see you on Gardeners world, I spotted your talent many months ago watching your allotment vids. Keep it up, your smile makes me want to garden more.

Lovely, helpful video. I'm in New Zealand, so just the right season to get the early variety in. Trying some massive rubbish bins to see how we go getting plenty of early spuds for Christmas. Thanks for your tips!

I grew spuds in pots, well a single pot, last year and the vegetative growth was impressive but there were just a few small potatoes in the end. I was careful not to overdo the nitrogen so i'm not sure what happened there. I used an organic potato as seed. Thank you for sharing :)

Lots of people need to know how and are intimidated to start a new adventure. Thank you.

I'm going to do this this year. I don't have as many massive pots as you do, but I also don't have as much spare dirt as you do, but it's not a competition. Thanks for the video. Giving chitted potatoes to friends & neighbors is a great way to improve your standing in your community. ;-) QUESTION 1: Do people ever put mulch on top of the pot to keep extra moisture in? (I'm writing from Texas where it regularly gets over 35C every summer... Like, the AVERAGE is above 35C in July & August I believe. Topping 40C is definitely hot, but it also happens several times per summer.) QUESTION 2: Would it be best if I painted the outside of the pots a lighter color?

Yep, doing containers this year. Fed up with rotivating every year, weeding and losing them all when it comes to digging. Thank you 👍

This is my 3rd time trying to grow potatoes, I hope I get some this time 🥔

Your video is extremely useful, clear and inspirating. Thank you from Saint-Petersburg, Russia

When one has gophers, this is the only way. Nice video

I am just starting to get into planting potatoes. This video helps me a lot. 😊

I bury my containers deep and use the soil Iv'e dug out with compost and bfb .No more work needed until harvest. This year cara and nicola. : ) x

I so enjoyed your potato information. I have the exact same pots, as we planted 12 Spruce trees on our land. I am growing the Dark red Norland, and Huckleberry Gold this year. we are in the process of clearing an area for my garden, so your information is very timely! Happy gardening!

Maris piper is one i love to grow i also do in containers and seen the pot you have on amzon if that helps anyone. Good video too thanks

Wow, what a lovely voice and lovely lady. Thank so much for your wisdom.

Very impressive, eloquent presentation. Professionally produced and edited as well. Wouldn't look out of place on BBC. I'm inspired! Keep up the great work!

Truly enjoyable and informative. I watched it twice. The 2nd viewing notes were taken for the fun reason of Googling the different English words describing various preparation methods. English vs. American languages. Great fun. Thank you.

What a lovely smile

Thank you Ms!...down here the soil is volcanic clay and rock...trying containers this year...milk crates, a little hay in the bottom and composted soil ...Hola from Mexico💕

I hope my potato crops are as successful as yours tend to be! This year I'm trying two varieties I've never used before, King Harry (a russet potato) and Upstate Abundance (a variety that stays fairly small all season). I have no idea if they're early or main crop, but I assume King Harry is more of a main crop because of the size. I've used containers in the past with good results, and previously grew a variety called Kennesaw which was truly delicious. I plan to try the Ruth Stout method this time, laying the seed potatoes on the surface of the soil and covering them with successive additions of hay throughout the season. I've heard this way is also easy to harvest, you just pull back the hay and they're just lying on the ground for you to collect. Not certain if blight will be an issue because of the moist hay however, so I might try a few in large grow bags just in case. Good luck this year :)

Potatoes are one of my favorite fruits, I've never met one I didn't like. Thankyou..

Great video on how to grow potatoes. I have tried this and it was fairly successful but you've given me some tips on how to do it better. One question - can you re-use the soil for a new lot of potatoes or other plants that are in pots?