On many occasions, we've been tempted to grow our own potatoes. They're fairly low maintenance, can be grown in a pot or in the ground, last a fairly long time if stored properly, and can be very nutritious (high in potassium and vitamin C). Here's more incentive: according to this article, you can grow 100 pounds of potatoes in 4 sq. feet. Learn how after the jump...
According to this article from the Seattle Times, potatoes planted inside a box with this method can grow up to 100 pounds of potatoes in just 4 square feet. All that is required:
The Times' guide for building a potato growing box yields up to a 100 lbs. of potatoes in a mere 4 square feet is shown below:
Plant as early as April or as late as August 1, with an approximated 3 month till harvest turnaround time.
Here are some pointers from the article:
"To save space, Lutovsky recommends building a box and planting inside it, adding sides to the box as the plant grows and filling the new space with mulch or soil. When the plant blossoms, it starts setting potatoes in this added soil. Soon after that, you can start removing the bottom boards from your box and "robbing" the plant, reaching in carefully and pulling out new potatoes."
And if you're unsure of the nutrition content of potatoes, here's a handy label, compliments of the US Potato Board:
Seattle Times via LifeHacker.
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hello! where do i get fir dust? i'm ready to plant!
view pedalpowered's profile
this thrills me. potatoes are sooooo much tastier when they're garden-grown! i am looking up fir dust now....
view nickety's profile
You can use this technique to recycle old tyres. Basically instead of making the wooden frame, just use an old tyre on the ground, and as the potatoes grow, add another tyre on top.
view Amilelka's profile
If you don't want to mess around with lumber, you can also grow them in a garbage can. Link here...from Seattle's other (now defunct) paper:
http://www.seattlepi.com/nwgardens/310303_ciscoe07.html
view ravennagirl's profile
I'd be concerned about the tyres off-gassing or leaching chemicals... but wood could do that too, if you're not sure where it's from.
view JosieDaisy's profile
You can also use a hessian sack (like the sacks coffee beans come in) and some wooden stakes.
view Rebekkap's profile
I've seen this done with stakes and garden cloth, same stuff you put down to deter weeds.
view linbo's profile
Brilliant step-wise harvesting! Who knew?
view DeborahMcP's profile
Pah! This article makes it way too expensive and difficult. I've done this with a tube of welded wire fencing and straw (we have both for our chickens). Easy, and nearly free.
view violet222's profile
While the initial cost of the wood may be a bit pricey, it makes harvesting from the bottom a lot easier than the other methods. Plus, wouldn't you be using the wood again season after season? Don't get me wrong, I often question some of the price points on this site labeled "affordable" but in this case the option shown appears to be money well-spent.
view swandiver's profile
i used the garbage can method this year just as a whim for some reds that sprouted in the cupboard, and was amazed to find ten little tiny potatoes when i turned it out today - the yield would've been much better if they hadn't gone in late and gotten soaked by frequent thunderstorms, i think.
view youreacigarette's profile