Growing potatoes in containers (bugs, tomatoes, vegetables, pond)

[MICoastieMom]

I did a search, but didn't find any threads that this subject had been addressed before. I have been container gardening for a number of years. I have an expansive driveway patio area, but not as much space as I would like for gardening so I have used contianers for herbs and numerous vegetables. I have heard about growing potatoes in either metal or plastic trash cans. I have even read about a fellow in Alaska who uses discarded tires which he stacks up to make a tower.

Recently, someone asked me about the viability of using plastic trash cans. Since the cans are not made of food grade plastic, the concern was whether of not they would leach any toxins into the soil surrounding the potatoes. Does anyone have personal experience with this? Would a galvinized can be better? I have put my plans on hold while I research this some more. Any alternative ideas for container growing potatoes. I am also looking into making potato bags from burlap or canvas or making a container from hardware cloth.

Am also curious if sweet potaoes/yams can be done the same way? Looking forward to hearing from you.

[PeterRabbit]

I've read about using plastic garbage cans with no warnings. I also saw on the news about if you leave your plastic beverage bottle in the car and it's hot, bad stuff will leech into the drink and can make you ill. Maybe use those wooden half-barrels.

[Okiegirlfriend]

I'll bet you could do this in a container.

Tips For Growing Potatoes In Straw

[MICoastieMom]

Originally Posted by Okiegirlfriend

I'll bet you could do this in a container.

Tips For Growing Potatoes In Straw

Now there's an idea I can live with! Thank you so much for sharing.

[TheDragonslayer]

I have three bottomless compost bins that I found useless for making compost. Instead I keep them by my compost piles and throw the leftovers from sifting compost, into the bins. I put potatoes in at the 1 foot level and as they grow to the top, I keep adding more compost siftings till it reaches the top. The potatoes grow through the compost reaching the light and keep growing spuds on their roots and stems. At the end of the season, you dump the bin over and harvest the potatoes. No digging involved.

[Fat Freddy]

Originally Posted by MICoastieMom

I have heard about growing potatoes in either metal or plastic trash cans. I have even read about a fellow in Alaska who uses discarded tires which he stacks up to make a tower.

I have grown them both in a wooden barrel and in stacked up tires.
Both methods worked, but neither was as productive as growing them directly in the garden.

The wooden barrel was quite aesthetically pleasing, but the tire stack method was a lot easier to harvest the potatoes from and to manage after the season was over.

If I were going to try it again I might try a shallower wooden barrel like a half wine cask.

[southernnaturelover]

Go to Lowes and get one of the half barrel size Koi ponds. Surely if it's safe enough for fish it would be safe enough to grow things in, and it's heavy duty too. I have one that I'm not using for Koi anymore and I thinking of growing something in it myself.

[MICoastieMom]

Originally Posted by TheDragonslayer

I have three bottomless compost bins that I found useless for making compost. Instead I keep them by my compost piles and throw the leftovers from sifting compost, into the bins. I put potatoes in at the 1 foot level and as they grow to the top, I keep adding more compost siftings till it reaches the top. The potatoes grow through the compost reaching the light and keep growing spuds on their roots and stems. At the end of the season, you dump the bin over and harvest the potatoes. No digging involved.

Another clever idea! One question though. I have read that because potatoes are susceptible to disease and bugs that you shouldn't re-use the soil, in the same way that tomatoes should be rotated. Have you experienced any negative issues with applying that compost (which I assume you are doing) to your other vegetable beds? I am thinking that because it would over-winter before anything would be planted in the beds that it would not be an issue, but I want to be sure I am on the same page. Not having ever grown potatoes, maybe I am over thinking this. You'd think with my Irish heritage growing potatoes would come second-nature~ LOL

[southernnaturelover]

I'm also trying to grow sweet potatoes this year for the first time. We'll see how it goes.

[MICoastieMom]

Oh, I would love to hear about your experience. Love sweet potatoes, but don't want to take on too much all at once.