Potato Grow Bag (Solanum tuberosum)
Features
Pick any sunny spot and start growing your own potatoes! Enjoy fresh potatoes without all the work of preparing, planting and maintaining a large vegetable bed. Growing potatoes in a container or grow bag is easy and will provide you with an abundant harvest of fresh potatoes to use in your favorite recipes.
Uses
Growing potatoes in a bag or container is a perfect solution for small space gardens, decks and balconies. The rich green foliage creates an attractive container plant while the potatoes develop under the soil. Wash fruits, vegetables and herbs thoroughly before eating.
Plant Feed
Feed every 4 weeks with a fertilizer low in nitrogen, higher in phosphorus and potassium (such as 5-10-10)
Watering
Water 2 – 3 times per week.
Soil
Commercial potting soil high in organic matter.
Basic Care Summary
Place your planter in a sunny location. Water and feed regularly throughout the growing season to encourage new potatoes. Monitor the progress of your potato growth by lifting the inner pot and sneaking a peek at their size. Harvest when the size suits your needs. Your potato plant should offer several “new potato” harvests or for bigger potatoes wait until top off the plant dies off to harvest. At the end of the growing season just empty the bag, no digging required. Fold the empty bag flat to store and reuse next season.
Planting Instructions
Start with a good quality, commercial potting soil that is high in organic matter. This will insure that the soil is sterile and pest-free.
Prepare the container by putting a 4” (10cm) layer of soil in the bottom of the bag. Place from 2-5 seed potatoes on the soil spacing them as evenly as possible from each other and from the sides of the bag. Next cover the potatoes with a 3-6” (8-15cm) layer of soil and water well. Every time the plants reach 2-3” (5-8cm) in height they should be covered again with more soil. Be sure to water the existing soil before adding the new layer of soil.
Once the soil level is to the top of the bag, the foliage can be allowed to grow through the rest of the season. At the end of the season, when the foliage starts to turn pale green to yellow, watering can be discontinued. The potatoes will continue to grow until the plant is fully wilted.
To harvest, just clear away the wilted foliage, empty the entire bag onto the ground or a tarp and remove the potatoes. To store the potatoes just wipe them off and allow them to dry for a day. It’s best not to wash potatoes until just before they are going to be used.
Take care not to damage the potatoes while moving them to storage. Bruises and cuts on a potato can be an invitation to bacteria, fungus, and pests that can lead to rot. A mesh or paper bag is a good choice for holding potatoes as both allow for good air circulation. The potatoes will keep longest if stored in a cool, dark, well ventilated location. A consistent temperature between 50-60° F (10-15° C) is ideal. Any potatoes that turn soft, shriveled or that are starting to sprout should be removed.
Watering Instructions
Consistent moisture is the key to growing a great crop of potatoes. In the field potatoes do best with 1-2” (3-5cm) of water per week. In the confines of a bag or container the soil may dry out more quickly depending on the weather so it is important to actually check the soil moisture. Check the soil with your finger or gently lift some soil with a small trowel to observe how moist it is. If the top 2-4” (5-10cm) of soil is dry, or plants are starting to wilt, it is time to water. Keep in mind that the potatoes are growing underground and will not do well in soggy wet soil. Even if the plant foliage looks okay, if the soil is noticeably waterlogged this could cause problems with the development of the potatoes. Take care not to overwater as well.
Pruning Instructions
Potato plants produce attractive little flowers, but because the focus is on root development, not flowering, it is okay to pinch off flowers. This will encourage the plant’s energy to go into the development of roots and potatoes instead of flowering and seed production. If the plant grows tall and starts to lean a stake or two can be inserted into the container. Tie the plant to the stake for additional support.
Fertilizing Instuctions
Plants should be fertilized every 4 weeks, ending approximately two weeks before harvest. Choose a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus and potassium and lowest in nitrogen. This nutritional balance will encourage the best root (potato) development. A granulated 5-10-10 fertilizer or liquid equivalent should do the job. Be sure to read package directions for any special precautions and information on the best method of application.
Plant Details
| Category | Vegetable |
| Height Range | 2-3′ |
| Height Metric Range | 0.6-0.9m |
| Space Range | 18-24″ |
| Space Metric Range | 46-61cm |
| Available Colors | Yellow, Red, Brown |
| Companion Plants | Patio Tomatoes, Herb Planter, Patio Peppers |
| Lowest Temperature | 30° to 40°F |
| Lowest Temperature Metric | -1° to 4°C |
| Bloom Time | Summer |
| Plant Light | Full Sun |
| Hardiness Zone | 10, 11, 12 |