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Today I’m sharing a step by step guide on how to grow potatoes straight from the compost bag – No greenhouse required! Want to have a go at growing potatoes but not sure where or how to start? This blog post is for you! So keep reading to learn how to grow potatoes the easy way!
We’re going to learn a nifty trick that allows you to grow delicious spuds straight from a compost bag. Yep, you heard that right – no digging, no raised beds – just potatoes thriving in a humble bag of multipurpose compost. Sounds good, right? Well, if you’re ready to get growing, grab your gardening gloves and let’s get started!
Step 1: Choose the Right Compost Bag
First thing first, you can grow your potatoes in any type of compost, straight from the bag, but you need to ensure that the bag is big enough! Look for a compost bag that is at least 40 – 50 litres and make sure that the plastic wrap housing the compost isn’t worn away or ripped anywhere.
It’s important to choose the right compost when learning how to grow potatoes from a compost bag.
If you open the bag of compost and see mould growing, or anything that shouldn’t be there, do not use this to plant your spuds. Instead, take it back to the shop and get a replacement. Healthy compost will be slightly damp, but there shouldn’t be any mould growing in it.
Step 2: Prepare the Compost Bag
To grow lots of potatoes, find a sunny spot in your garden or balcony that will allow your potatoes to soak up plenty of sunlight. Ideally, you want to place the compost bag on a flat surface that’s level, this means that you’ll avoid the catastrophic hazard that is the bag falling over and your beautiful potatoes spilling out everywhere.
Before you place your compost bag in its final location, use a garden fork to poke several drainage holes in the bottom of the bag. This is vital as waterlogged soil will lead to rotting potatoes that not only won’t grow but will also smell! This step is critical when you’re learning how to grow potatoes.
Step 3: Choose Your Variety Of Potato
Now you’ve got the area for your potatoes to grow sorted, it’s time to head to the nearest garden centre and get your hands on your seed potatoes. These are the potatoes that you’ll be planting, so make sure you look for ones that are firm and free from any signs of disease.
There are lots of varieties of potatoes, so choose the type that you like to eat or cook with the most; some popular varieties are the Russet potato and the Maris Piper potato. All rounders are your best bet when learning how to grow potatoes.
Choosing the right seed potatoes is important when learning how to grow potatoes.
Step 4: Prepare the Seed Potatoes
A day or two before planting your potatoes, it’s a good idea to “chit” them. This simply means that you allow them the chance to sprout a little before planting. Place your seed potatoes in an egg carton, some upright toilet roll tubes, or a tray, with the eyes facing upward.
Leave them in a cool, light location to encourage sprouting. This step helps your potatoes get a head start once they’re in the bag.
Step 5: Planting Time!
When your seed potatoes have developed small sprouts, it’s time to plant them in the compost bag. Dig out some of the compost and save this for later. Place your seed potatoes with the sprouts facing upwards, onto the compost surface. Ensure they are evenly spaced and not touching each other so that they have plenty of room to grow. You don’t want to learn this the hard way when mastering how to grow potatoes.
Step 6: Cover and Water
Once your seed potatoes are in place, cover them with compost. This will protect the tubers as they grow and provide an excellent growing medium. Give the compost a gentle watering, ensuring it’s evenly moist but not waterlogged. Remember to water regularly, especially during dry spells, to keep the compost moist but not soggy.
Why not get the kids involved with watering and teach them how to grow potatoes.
Step 7: Care and Harvest
As your potato plants grow, keep an eye out for any weeds and gently remove them. As the leaves of the potato start to emerge, use your leftover compost to “earth up” the potatoes by covering the foliage with more compost. This stops the potatoes from coming into contact with sunlight, which can turn them green and render them inedible.
In about 10-20 weeks, depending on the variety of potatoes planted, your potatoes will be ready for harvesting. Carefully reach into the bag and feel around for the potatoes. Harvest the ones that are big enough for your liking and leave smaller ones to continue growing.
Congratulations, you know how to grow potatoes straight from a compost bag!
Growing your own potatoes is such a fun and satisfying experience, plus it’s a great activity to do with children. Growing potatoes straight from the compost bag means that you can grow your own food even if you only have a small amount of outdoor space available, such as a balcony. Finally, let me know in the comments if you have any other tips on how to grow potatoes.
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