Growing potatoes is a great way to save money and enjoy a diverse and popular vegetable. Growing seed potatoes usually requires a large area, for example a green garden that extends over a large piece of land. Not everyone has the space for a potato patch in their garden, even though potatoes are loved by practically everyone. Would you also like to know how to grow potatoes in a planting bag?
For those growing on a patio or in a limited space, grow bags are a good investment. You have the option to buy potato sacks or make them yourself. Growing potatoes in a bag is an easy way to save space and can be a great activity for the whole family.
This makes cultivation easy!
Select the potatoes
To start a new potato crop, you need seed potatoes, which are pieces of mature potatoes that have at least one eye, because new potatoes develop from the “eyes” of older seed potatoes. Germinating seed potatoes are also available in the supermarket, but you'll likely find a larger selection of varieties if you buy seed potatoes at a garden center or order them online.
Make your own plant bag
The first requirement for growing potatoes in bags is, of course, a bag. You can either purchase one of the many grow bags available commercially or make your own. Making your own bag takes more time and doesn't cost as much. Reused jute bags are the easiest bags to make. Alternatively, you can make them out of sturdy fabric or even weed control fabric by sewing or stapling it together. Make sure there is enough fabric hanging over the edge so that you can roll it up again when adding the seed potatoes. But potatoes in bags are not the only option.
Another option is to use a used tire, fill it with soil, and then plant potato seeds. When the plants mature, they need more ripening.
Find a sunny location
After the last spring frost, place the bag in a sunny spot - once placed it will be too heavy to move. To fill the bag to a depth of about 10 cm, you can use a mixture of compost, potting soil with coir soil (a fibrous byproduct of coconut processing), or peat moss. Do not soak the mixture, just moisten it.
Place seed potatoes in the bag
Place up to four seed potatoes (depending on size) on top of the bag's soil mix. To ensure that the roots of the potatoes have enough space to grow, lay them out a little apart from each other. Moisten the top layer of the compost-coir mixture and completely cover the seed potatoes with about 2 inches of the mixture.
Water the potatoes
Add water if the mixture seems dry - be careful not to get it too wet. After about two weeks, you will notice the stems of the green leaves poking out of the soil. Fill the space between the plant's lowest leaves with more compost or potting soil.
Be sure to water your potato sack regularly so it doesn't overheat or drown thanks to the permeable fabric. However, keep an eye on the moisture content of the bag - it could dry out quickly. A moist but not soggy feel is ideal for the soil. During the warmest part of summer, you may need to water it daily.
Add soil
As the stems develop, you should continue applying the mixture every 1 to 2 weeks. Any tubers you find should be covered as they turn green and poisonous when exposed to sunlight. The mixture must be kept constantly moist. The bag should be filled before you stop adding the mixture. However, if the mixture is dry, you should add water.
Also read:Which fertilizer for potatoes? Discover the best organic fertilizers
Common pests
The most common pest is the Colorado potato beetle. Regularly look for golden eggs under the leaves of your plants. If you find any, gently remove them with your finger. Identifying and controlling adult beetles is a breeze: you can simply collect them by hand and toss them into a bucket of soapy water. The beetles may cause problems for your plants for a few weeks. However, as long as you keep an eye on them and remove them by hand, you'll be fine.
When to harvest?
After about six weeks, the plants begin to produce small flowers. After another six weeks, the stems and leaves fall off and turn brown, meaning thatthey are ready for harvest. Carefully turn the bag over so you can empty the contents. Find the hidden treasure – your own home-grown potatoes – by dipping your hands into the mound and digging around.
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