Potatoes in patio planters

[carrot-cruncher]

I think this topic may have been covered elsewhere on the site but I can't find the thread, hence the post.

As part of my birthday present recently my brother and his family bought me several potato patio planters from somewhere but there was no instructions included.

I guess I fill the bag with compost & plant the tuber but I thought it was slightly more complicated than that.   I vaguely recall reading somewhere that I need to only partly fill the bag with compost & plant the tuber then top up the compost as the potato tops starts to show.

Can anybody offer any guidance please as I have fifteen of these bags & would like to put them to use.

Thank you

CC

[carrot-cruncher]

[grannyjanny]

I think you put about 4" of compost in the bag, put the 3 seed potatoes on top of that. Cover the seeds with compost & keep puttting more on as they grow. Depending on size of bag , may take more that 3. Someone put 3 in a builders bucket so use that as a guide. Good luck what a lovely present.
Janet.

[killerflies]

From my research and what Ive been told (first timer also) thats exactly what you can do.

Im also going to try a bag with straw in.

My plan based on recommendations is as follows...........................

a. 4inches of compost on top of stones for drainage
b. tubers
c. 6 inches of compost on top of those
d. wait until the plant is approx 4-6inches above the compost and carefully cover with 4-6 inches of straw.
e. wait until plant is 4-6inches above the straw and repeat covering with 4-6inches of straw.
f. do this 3/4 times until your bag is pretty near the top or plant growth is struggling to keep up with being covered.
g. wait until your spuds are ready and pull clean, soil free spuds from your bag.

Keep the straw moist at ALL times with water and feed. But dont drown your spuds.

Best of luck!

[Barnowl]

RHS advice for growing in multicompost

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0506/potatoespots.asp

I'd just like to stress that bags are prone to drying out which is something you really want to avoid (the spuds tend to go scabby) so they need checking regularly, especially if we have a hot dry spell.

[mat]

I have found this site which appears to have some excellent information on growing in containers... (and a lot more information besides...)

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/suttonelms/POT1.HTML

hope this helps
mat

[carrot-cruncher]

RHS advice for growing in multicompost

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0506/potatoespots.asp

I'd just like to stress that bags are prone to drying out which is something you really want to avoid (the spuds tend to go scabby) so they need checking regularly, especially if we have a hot dry spell.

I don't think drying out will be much of a problem at the moment considering the snow I've got :D

CC

[Barnowl]

Live in hope  :) - I really don;t fancy yet another wet summer.

[Fork]

I intend to give it a try this year.

Got a pack of two potato tubs for £7:99 from the local garden centre and there are precise instructions on the back,or should I say "idiots guide"!,well it needs to be for me  ;D

[terrier]

I like the idea of using straw around the plants instead of soil but can I use old spoilt hay or grass clippings instead? I've got loads of that.

[Flunky]

I used these as opposed to planters, cheaper and using old tyres.

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,48611.msg490278.html#msg490278

[thifasmom]

i dont see why you cant use grass clippings

[Robert_Brenchley]

I use several inches of grass cuttings, or dead leaves if I'm short. It works fine.