How to grow potatoes in containers

How to…

Follow these easy steps to grow potatoes in containers.

  • Estimated time: 30 minutes
  • Location: Outdoors
  • School term: Early Spring
  • Level of experience: No experience needed

Introduction

Traditionally potatoes are bought in January and February to allow enough time for them to ‘chit’ (sprout). Depending on your location in Britain they are usually planted out around Easter. Early potatoes will crop before the end of the summer term.

  1. Choose and buy your seed potatoes from a shop or garden centre. Check which type they are and when they should be planted.

  2. Next place them in an egg box in a cool, light place to grow buds. Once the buds are 2cm long the potatoes are ready to plant.

  3. 1/4 fill the pot with compost and place the potatoes on top and then cover over with a layer of compost.

  4. As the leaves grow keep covering them up with new compost.

  5. Remember to water the container when the compost is dry.

  6. Keep topping up with compost until the container is full.

  7. Next the potatoes will flower; if these develop into fruits DO NOT eat them- they are poisonous.

  8. Stop watering at this point and the potato plants will start to die off above the soil.

  9. When the top of the plant has died you can harvest the potatoes. Tip the bag upside down to have a look.

  10. If you are not using the potatoes straight away store them in paper sacks in a cool, dark place.

Additional information