HOW TO GROW POTATOES IN A POTATO BAG
Equipment
- Potato Bag
- 5 Seed Potatoes (max)
- Trowel
- 40L Good quality multi purpose compost
- Watering Can
What to do
- Take the potato bag and place a layer of drainage material such as small stones on the bottom of the bag
- Next add approximately 15 cm of good quality potting compost
- On top of this layer place 2 or 3 seed potatoes, equally spaced out and around 15cm from the edge of the bag
- Add another 10 cm layer of good quality potting compost
- Place another 2 or 3 seed potatoes on top of this layer
- Cover with another 10 cm of compost
Hints & Tips
- Place the potato bag in sheltered sunny spot
- Always ensure there is a good covering of soil on the top of growing tubers, as daylight turns the potatoes green, and they are then poisonous.
- If you want your potatoes to have enough space to grow to a decent size don’t plant more than 5 potatoes per bag.
- On cold nights cover the bag with some protective fleece to prevent frost damage.
- Water well – around a gallon of water per plant per day is recommended.
- When the tops of the plants begin to grow, use canes to support them.
- When flower buds begin to appear it’s a sign that the tubers are starting to grow.
- Harvest after around 10 – 12 weeks
- Watch out for potato blight. Signs include slightly soft black or brown patches appearing on the leaves. The whole plant then dies off quickly and the tubers will also be affected. Cut infected plants down – don’t compost, check tubers and use quickly.
Fascinating Facts
- Potatoes originated in Peru and came to Europe in the 16th century.
- An average potato contains around 35% of the an adults daily vitamin C requirement (best not to peel the potato)
- Potatoes are 80% water and 20% solid
- In 1995 the potato was the first vegetable to be grown in outer space
- Europeans eat around 280 lbs of potatoes per year
- It was at one time believed that a peeled potato in the pocket cured toothache and a dried potato around the neck helped rheumatism