[finty22]

Hi,

Anyone tried one of these? Just curious cos my other half planted most of ours in ready made ridges - as he thought they were earthed up when planting!! It looks like we have buried 4 people in our lottie at the minute   


http://lifehacker.com/5202849/grow-100-lbs-of-potatoes-in-4-square-feet

[sunshineband]

No reason why these wouldn't be OK IMHO, and you could probably make something similar out of second hand wood like pallets.

I have grown spuds in bags for years, and as long as I remember to water them they are great -- like the idea of being able to fetch out the spuds you need from the bottom of the box whilst leaving the rest to grow. Can't do that with a bag 

[janet12000]

I'm planing on growing some spuds in those new bags you have to buy from the supermarket.

[aelf]

I was given some green woven plastic sacks, 2 ft x 2 ft x 3ft high. very strong and now full of potato plants that are waist high. Beats all that digging!

Aelf

[theakston_uk]

I have grown spuds in bags for years.

Just read the bit about the potato box, it says let the plant grow 12 inches above the wood then cover 1/3 of the plant with soil. I'm growing spuds in 2 dustbins and I haven't been letting the plant grow above the soil that much. I've been covering the plant as soon as it's shown itself above the soil. I was going to let the soil level get 6 inches below the top of the bin then let the plant grow. I am doing it right, or have I been told the wrong thing?

[Yorkie]

I think you're doing ok, Theakston, don't worry about it

[crazy-potting-lady]

I have been growing potatoes in a dustbin too, and all seems to be going very well, which for me is not always a good sign, my friends and family agree i am the unluckiest person! Anyway, i have earthed up the soil so it is about 8 inches from the top of the bin and at the moment the plants stand a further 18 inches and beginning to bud.

can anyone please advise me as when to harvest these as i have asked a few people i know, and get a different answer everytime.

p.s. i planted the potatoes at the end of March

[sunshineband]

If they are first earlies than I start to dig mine up once the flowers have faded 

[theakston_uk]

If they are first earlies than I start to dig mine up once the flowers have faded 

I've been told to do this too. Well it will be a case of emptying the bin out.

[sunshineband]

You can always have a ferret about and see how big they are before taking drastic action   

[Trebor]

I planted out on 1st March and live in Kent so you can compare that to where you are. Just dug up the first of the earlies this weekend, a decent crop, but could go a bit longer. The top growth was very dense and they flowered last week. I also moved a bit of soil first to see how they were going before killing the plant!

[sunshineband]

  Mine are in flower but I'm going to wait until the end of next week to investigate

[finty22]

Hi,

The spud saga continues - just been up the allotment and my spuds are coming up - about 4 inches tall - all looking quite healthy. The only thing is .... the other half didnt label them!! A couple of the plants have red leaves on the plants ... are these ok?

The other question is ... am I looking at a potato glut ... we appear to have planted about 30 plants ... theres only 2 of us???

Thanks

Mel

[Celery]

I have got some in a big builder bags this year.I put five seeds spuds in the bag,as the leaves come though I am adding the soil.
                                                              celery

[crazy-potting-lady]

i am in kent as well trebor.  Think i will leave it until the flowers die off and see what i get then.  Seeing as its my first year of doing this i will be chuffed with a single spud! My entire family get text messages, e-mails etc everytime something sprouts or flowers, any progess is an achievement!