I planted potatoes, twice. Both times in the ground and both times it was an utter failure.
The first year, the potatoes were small and a mole was very well fed at the end. The second year, I moved the potato planting location to see if I could get better luck. It was worse this past year. Little did I know that walnut trees have murderous intent toward certain species of plants and potatoes are one of them.
I came across these two sites about growing potatoes and I am feeling inspired.
One site shows how to grow potatoes in a very nice crate, the other shows how to grow them in a 5-gallon bucket. I liked both methods and decided to inspire you with the idea too.
I haven’t planted my potatoes yet, I think though that I might just give it another try.
Here are a couple of methods I am considering:
Growing Potatoes in a Crate
Source: https://oldworldgardenfarms.com/2016/06/30/23048/
With Jim and Mary, our potato growers, it all started with a simple desperate experiment – that was a success!
They also felt that there was an easier way, that would take up less space and result in a successful crop.
They built simple crates that tip over so you can dump your crop out, instead of digging it out.
They even provide the specs for the crates: Making Our Potato Crates
They even grow sweet potatoes this way. so check out their site and article at: Source: https://oldworldgardenfarms.com/2016/06/30/23048/
Growing a Potato Farm in Buckets
http://fivegallonideas.com/potato-farm/
Mark, the author of this article, is from the Netherlands and he has all kinds of 5-gallon bucket ideas, but we will be focusing on growing potatoes today.
I like his idea because it is simple, easy and no real skills are necessary to start.
I learned that the best potatoes to use are NOT Russett, but the red and yellow potatoes because they are healthier.
There are two reasons to plant in buckets:
1.buckets are portable so you can move them into the sun and to a protected location in case of severe weather.
2: There is no digging involved, just tip the bucket and harvest the potatoes.
About 2 lbs of potatoes can be harvested from each bucket ~ I personally think that could be stretched…but that’s my opinion.
Here is his video about growing potatoes in buckets.
I think that this is an effort I am willing to invest in. You can get food grade buckets at Menards (cheapest price), Lowes and Walmart for 5 dollars or less each.
Or you can build your own crates from scrap wood and save your money to purchase the seed potatoes.
Either way – if you grow your own potatoes, you will know how they were grown and what they were treated with.
Now that the FDA has approved GMO potatoes for the general market, you won’t know what you are getting at the grocer. Make sure your seed potatoes are non-GMO. You can’t use grocery store potatoes, gotta get seed potatoes. You can get them at the store during growing season or through a catalog.
Make sure your seed potatoes are non-GMO.
You can’t use grocery store potatoes, gotta get seed potatoes.
You can get them at the store during growing season or through a catalog.
However you choose to plant – plant happy!
May the Storage Be With You,
Anne 🙂
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