Growing In Containers

“Plants need light, water, food, space, air and the correct temperature to grow really well”

Preparation

Make sure you purchase classified basic seed potatoes (see Preparation Pointers for background information). It’s a good idea to chit(sprout) so place in a light cool area in an old egg carton or clean seed tray, with the concentration of eyes(rose end) facing upwards at least two weeks before planting.

Choose your variety. See our Variety Guide for extra help. First Earlies and Salads are best grown in containers, as these can be started indoors or in a frost-free area and then placed outside when the risk of frost has passed. This will mean that you will have very early crops of tubers and can savour the taste of home grown new potatoes early in the season.

Organise your container. You can use pots, grow bags, grow sacks and even disused tyres but remember; the smaller the container, the smaller the area the potato plants have to grow. Try to allow a diameter of at least 20cm (8in) per seed potato to allow plants to develop properly. Ensure the container is clean and has been disinfected if it’s been previously used. Make sure that there is adequate drainage in the container and place a few stones, corks or broken pots around them to keep the holes clear, thus ensuring the potatoes are not sitting in water.

Planting

Seed Potatoes can be planted and kept indoors in a frost proof conservatory or greenhouse from February onwards. Mid March to mid April is the best time to plant outdoors but the containers must be protected from frost or moved indoors if there is a risk of frost. Salad and late cropping varieties can be planted continuously through until late July

Use a good compost (check nutrient contents as some may require potato fertiliser - add according to instructions on the pack) or use some garden soil. Adding perlite or organic matter to the compost or soil can stop the compost becoming compressed due to overwatering or in wet weather (this can inhibit plant growth).

Fill the container one thirds with the compost mix or the soil. Push the seed potatoes gently into the soil, with the rose end (sprouts) facing upwards. Add more compost, filling the container two thirds full. Water to dampen the soil but don’t over do it. Check every three or four days.

Growing

When the new plant leaves begin to show, fill the container with the remaining compost. This encourages the plant to produce more potatoes, so you should get a container full of potatoes! Potatoes will start to form around 10 days after the shoots emerge again. The amount of foliage produced and whether the plants flower depends on the variety and the growing conditions.

As the leaves grow and temperatures rise, plants will need to be watered more frequently. Don’t allow the containers to dry out.

If frost is forecast when the tops are green (even up until end of May) cover with fleece or bubble wrap or move inside overnight until the danger has passed

Harvest

You should be able to eat First Early varieties from around 65 days after planting. Check that the potatoes are big enough first by scraping away some compost to check on size. They are best eaten small and freshly boiled with mint. If you want bigger potatoes or are growing a Salad variety leave until the foliage starts to die back. Again check size by scraping away the soil. This could be 100-130 days after planting.

Back to Tips & Guides