How to Grow Potatoes in a Trash Can
By DIY Maven
If you've never dug for potatoes, you don't know what you're missing. Finding spuds hiding in dirt is sort of like uncovering buried treasure. That is until your garden fork impales one of the darlings.
Generally speaking, a potato patch involves a good amount of garden space, which means patio and balcony crops are out of the question, right? Nope. According to The Old Farmer's Almanac, you can grow potatoes in a garbage can, or any large container, for that matter.
To try this method, the Almanac says to find a garbage can (plastic or otherwise), a barrel, a wooden box or any other container that is at least 18 inches deep.
Punch or drill holes in the bottom of your planter of choice for good drainage.
Put 6 inches of soil into the container.
Place the seedling potatoes on the soil and cover with 3 inches of soil or mulch.
When leaves start to sprout and plantings reach 6 to 8 inches in height, add another layer of soil. As the plants grow higher, you keep adding soil, making a hill of sorts.
When the potatoes are ready to harvest, all you have to do is turn the planter on it's side and shake out the spuds, which means no potato impalements.
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Self-proclaimed Maven of DIY, I'm up for anything from gonzo rehab to dressing a room. Check...
Uncle B
Did this! You gotta be crefulo! Pick the wrong type of potato and you get little! Try using Russetts, Yellow Finn, and Binjte! Early varieties set fruit only once and do no do well in towers, buckets tire piles etc! Good Luck!
DIY Maven
kathc--I hate that when that happens...not saving links, I mean!
kathc
You have been reading my mind! My mother and I just had a conversation yesterday (of course on St. Pat's Day) about growing potatoes and I mentioned this method. I had seen this a few years ago and didn't save the link, although I was intrigued and never forgot about it. I wanted to look it up and possibly try it this summer. Thanks for doing the legwork for me!
DesigningMom
We have a bunny habitat in our back acre so if we didn't plant on our deck (there's no stairs down to the yard) they'd have a feast and we'd have the famine.
DIY Maven
You're welcome, DM. I think I just might give it a go myself. For us, the big garden just doesn't work well. It's either feast or famine. Meaning either string beans or weeds up the yahoo.
DesigningMom
Oh I want to do this! I never thought about using a trash can. We've grown organic peppers and tomatoes on our back deck for a couple years now. We have plenty of land, but this is so much more handy. We just walk out and grab the fresh veggies just before we prepare them to eat. Tried cucumbers but only got one little one. I'm pretty sure it was the size of the container. It probably needs more root space. Maybe a trash can will work for them too. Thanks so much Maven!
~Becky <><
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