The Patio Potato

How to Grow potatoes in a pot

End of the season before frost

I wanted to grow potatoes, but owning a townhouse I do not have the space for a garden.  The solution that I came up with was to try to grow them in a container.  I had no idea how this would turn out so, I started small.

I purchased a single seed potato from a garden center.  Cut the potato into about four or five good size chunks.  Each piece of the original seed potato had an eye on it.

I put the seeds in the bottom of the pot and covered them with about three inches of peat moss.  Once the vines got a good start and were well rooted I pinched off the leaves from the bottom of the vines and added more peat moss.
As the vines got taller I would occasionally pinch off the bottom leaves and add more peat moss.  I did this a few times until the pot was completely full.  As you can see from the picture the vines eventually grew much longer.  I could have used a much taller pot.

After our first hard freeze, the veins died back (second picture.)  I laid out a tarp and tipped the pot out.  We busted up the clump and dug all the potatoes out.  The plants grew roots out of the steams from the bottom of the pot to the top.  It grew potatoes from the bottom where the original seed was planted all the way up as I added peat moss around the stems.
Overall, I was happy with the yield.  One seed potato produced thirty nice sized Yukon Gold Potatoes.  Yukon Golds are not as large as Russets anyway, more of a medium size.

Thirty potatoes from one seed and in one pot, I think is pretty good.  I am a little proud of myself.  However, I am also potato greedy. Next Spring I will try to increase the number.  I am going to try a larger container, maybe a trash can or something I build.  The idea is still to try to grow potatoes vertically to limit the space needed to get a lot.  I am going to try more than one variety as well.




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If you have done this before and have tips or you have ideas for a taller container please share.  Visit our FaceBook page to see more tips and share your own experience!  www.facebook.com/berggrenblooms

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Ahh - I got Gnats in my plants!

Fungus Gnats, in my houseplants to be specific...

Fungus Gnats are tiny flies that usually live in houseplants. There are 100's of other tiny flies that we call Gnats, most of them living outside. Sometimes Fruit Flies get inside too and are also refereed to as Gnats. These Fungus Gnats can be seen walking on the top of the potting soil of houseplants. They are a common problem.

They eat the fungus that is breaking down decomposing matter in the soil. They also eat the decomposing matter and if there is a lot of them, they might feed on the plant's roots. They can damage the plant if they are there in large numbers. Generally they do no harm other than being an annoying little pest that buzz around in your face. These Gnats don't bite.

When potting or re-potting plants try to pick a potting soil that drains out fast and drys quickly. One that is not over loaded with organic materials, like wood.

Allow the plant to dry out between waterings. Remove and discard any decorative foil wrapping from around the pot.

There are several tricks to reducing their numbers, I suggest trying them all at the same time.

You can top your potting soil with a layer of sand creating a barrier between the good stuff and the outside.
You can also put out sticky yellow cards that the adults will go to and stick on.
Try a small glass of red wine - a little for you, a little for Mr. Gnat! They are attracted to the fermentation smell and drown in the liquid. Apple cider vinegar might work as well but red wine is still better for the gardener!
Finally, try a thin slice of potato on the soil's surface. This attracts the larva out to to die. The larva are little tiny white maggots. Toss the potato into the trash when its done. Believe me, tiny dead maggots in your house plants - your guests won't even notice. Gnats swimming in guest's red wine, might embarrass you.
There are also chemical products that you can buy at the garden center. For one that is natural look for BT. It has to be BT labeled for Gnats. BT for mosquitoes or caterpillars will not do the job.

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