If you’re an organic gardening enthusiast, planting organic potatoes from the grocery store in containers or grow bags is an easy and cost-effective way to grow your own spuds. With a little preparation and care, those store-bought tubers can transform into a bountiful harvest. Here’s how to get started growing potatoes in containers.
Why Choose Organic Potatoes?
Organic potatoes are free from synthetic pesticides and fungicides. This is particularly important if you plan to plant them because conventional potatoes are often treated with sprout inhibitors to prevent them from growing. Organic varieties, on the other hand, are more likely to sprout naturally, making them a great choice for home gardening.
Step 1: Select the Right Potatoes
When selecting potatoes for planting, look for these qualities:
- Organic certification: This ensures the potatoes are untreated and safe for planting.
- Healthy appearance: Choose firm potatoes without signs of rot, damage, or disease.
- Eyes or sprouts: Potatoes with visible eyes or tiny sprouts are ideal, as they’re ready to grow.
Step 2: Allow the Potatoes to Sprout
Before planting, let your potatoes sprout by following these steps:
- Place in a cool, well-lit area: Set the potatoes in an open box or on a tray, keeping them in indirect sunlight at room temperature.
- Wait for sprouts to form: In about 1-2 weeks, you should see shoots emerging from the eyes.
Step 3: Understand Determinate vs. Indeterminate Potatoes
Potatoes can be categorized as either determinate or indeterminate, which influences how you plant them:
- Determinate potatoes: These grow in a more compact form and produce a single layer of potatoes. They are ideal for small containers like 5-gallon buckets or grow bags. For planting, place 2 potatoes across from each other on 6-8 inches of soil. Add more soil, then plant 2 more potatoes opposite the first ones. Continue layering like this until the container is full.
- Indeterminate potatoes: These grow taller and can produce multiple layers of potatoes, making them suitable for larger containers or grow bags, such as 15-20 gallons. They benefit from “hilling,” where additional soil is added as the plant grows to encourage more layers of potatoes.
Step 4: Choose the Right Containers or Grow Bags
Potatoes thrive in containers and grow bags because they offer excellent drainage and flexibility. Here’s what to consider:
- Container size: Many people successfully grow potatoes in 5-gallon buckets and 5-gallon grow bags, especially when space is limited. Larger containers, such as 15-20 gallon grow bags, can yield even bigger harvests.
- Drainage: Ensure your containers have good drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
- Soil mix: Use a loose, nutrient-rich soil mix with good drainage. Mix in compost or well-rotted manure for added nutrients.
Step 5: Plant the Potatoes
Now that they are ready, it’s time to start growing potatoes in containers:
- Add soil: Fill your container or grow bag with about 4-6 inches of soil.
- Place the potatoes: For determinate potatoes, layer them as described above. For indeterminate potatoes, place them with sprouts facing upward and leave room to add more soil as they grow.
- Cover lightly: Cover the potatoes with another 2-4 inches of soil.
Step 6: Care for Your Container Potatoes
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Potatoes need about 1-2 inches of water per week.
- Hilling: For indeterminate potatoes, add more soil to cover the stems as the plants grow, leaving about 2 inches of the plant exposed. Repeat this process until the container is full.
- Fertilizing: Use an organic, balanced fertilizer every few weeks to promote healthy growth.
- Mulching: Add a layer of straw or mulch on top to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Step 7: Harvest and Store
- Harvesting: Once the plants flower and the foliage begins to yellow, your potatoes are ready. Dump the container or grow bag and gently sift through the soil to collect your potatoes.
- Curing: Allow the potatoes to cure in a cool, dark, and dry place for about 1-2 weeks to improve their storage life.
- Storing: Store your harvested potatoes in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated area. Avoid refrigeration, as it can affect their texture and taste.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Rotting potatoes: Ensure proper drainage and avoid overwatering.
- Pest problems: Use organic pest control methods like neem oil or companion planting.
- Green potatoes: Ensure potatoes remain covered with soil or mulch to prevent sunlight exposure.
Conclusion
Planting organic varieties from the grocery store and growing the potatoes in containers or grow bags is a rewarding way to grow your own food while making use of readily available produce. With the right preparation, care, and patience, you’ll enjoy a delicious harvest of homegrown potatoes to share with family and friends. Whether you use a 5-gallon bucket or a larger grow bag, give it a try this season—your garden (and taste buds) will thank you! Check out our other gardening tips!
