Growing potatoes in a pot

I have a vegetable garden of 100 m² myself. That’s by no means small, but in my opinion it’s too small to dedicate a large section to potatoes. The amount of time that part of the garden would sit unused is quite long, and I think that’s a shame. That’s why I choose to grow potatoes in a pot. A potato pot can be placed wherever you like, so make sure to put it somewhere nice and sunny.

One of the biggest advantages of growing potatoes in a pot is that you can harvest them over a longer period. With a potato pot you don’t need to remove the entire plant from the pot whenever you want some potatoes. Simply lift out the inner pot and harvest only what you need at that moment. This allows you to enjoy your harvest for longer and makes growing your own potatoes even more rewarding. Another major benefit is that the risk of diseases such as Phytophthora is lower because the plant is not growing directly in open ground.

Growing your own potatoes in a potato pot – step-by-step guide

Step 1

Choose your variety first

Before you start growing potatoes, it’s important to choose the right variety. There are countless flavours to choose from, as well as early, second early and late varieties. So simply pick the type you enjoy most. Do you prefer a floury potato, a waxy potato or a speciality variety with a unique flavour?

Early and second early varieties are often easy to store. If you choose the right variety and store your potatoes correctly, they can sometimes keep for between 3 and 9 months. That way, you can enjoy the rewards of growing your own potatoes for even longer.

Step 2

Let the potatoes sprout before planting

Before you start planting seed potatoes, let them sprout first. Many people wonder how to plant potatoes correctly. Pre-sprouting is an important first step.

Place the seed potatoes in a light, cool spot about three weeks before planting. This process is known as pre-sprouting potatoes. Keep them at a temperature of around 10°C. I often choose the kitchen because it is cooler there than in the living room.

After about seven days, the eyes will start to develop shoots. After three weeks, the shoots will be approximately 1 to 2 cm long. At that point, the potatoes are ready to be planted. Pre-sprouting encourages healthy potato plant growth and gives the crop a stronger start.

Step 3

Planting potatoes in a pot

Many people ask when potatoes should be planted and until when planting is possible. For a successful harvest, use the following planting periods:

• Early varieties: late March to mid-April
• Second early varieties: early April to late April
• Late varieties: mid-April to mid-May

Always use nutrient-rich soil, such as special vegetable garden compost. Potatoes are hungry growers and need plenty of nutrients for healthy growth.

Start by adding a layer of soil of around 20 cm to the pot. Then plant three seed potatoes per pot with the shoots facing upwards. This is the ideal way to grow potatoes in a pot. Cover the potatoes with the remaining soil and place the pot in a warm, sunny location.

This method is also perfect if you have limited space. Don’t have a potato pot? You can also grow potatoes in a bucket, a mortar tub or even in a pot or metal container. Growing potatoes in a bucket often delivers surprisingly good results.

After planting, water thoroughly using a watering can fitted with a rose.

Step 4

Now it's time to wait

Once the potatoes have been planted, it is mainly a matter of waiting. An important part of growing potatoes is watering them regularly. Plants grown in pots cannot access groundwater and therefore need watering more often.

When the first shoots are around 10 cm above the soil, cover them again with a layer of vegetable garden compost. This process is known as earthing up. It encourages healthy potato plant growth, strengthens the roots and helps the plant produce more potatoes.

Many beginner gardeners wonder how potatoes grow. New potatoes develop along the underground stems of the plant. By earthing up regularly, you give the plant more space to form additional tubers.

Harvest time

When is it time to harvest?

When the foliage starts to change colour and turn yellow, the potatoes are ready to harvest. However, you can also enjoy small, young potatoes before then. They may be smaller in size, but they are just as tasty.

Early varieties can be harvested from June to August, second early varieties from August to September and late varieties from late September to October.

Growing potatoes in a pot makes it easy to check when the potatoes are large enough to harvest. This makes growing potatoes in containers especially simple. Whether you choose to grow potatoes in a pot, a bucket or even a metal container, the principle remains the same.

Would you like to store your potatoes for longer after harvesting? Keep them in a dry, dark place. They will often stay fresh for a month or even longer.

Good luck growing your own potatoes and, above all, enjoy your harvest!

Best wishes,
Floor