Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Ruby Reason

(242 posts)
17. If your space is really small...
Sat Feb 11, 2012, 09:35 AM
Feb 2012

our family has had success growing potatoes in bushel baskets. It is one plant per basket, but they can be wedged in pretty tight to each other. One plant in a basket can yield up to 18 potatoes (at least that is the most we've had in a basket). If it yields that many though, they tend to be small. More like 8 to 10 per basket if the potatoes are large. Still it is fun and they can be moved about. I think the bushel basket keeps the potatoes from rotting. Plastic pots of about the same size seem to hold to much moisture. We've never tried clay pots, but I think they would then be incredibly heavy to move.

We just dump the basket at harvest time and it saves on digging it up. This is especially nice if you have young children or grandchildren. Then potato hunting is guaranteed to be successful!

My aunt collected bags of seaweed from the coast of Nova Scotia and grew applegrove Feb 2012 #1
Wow...very interesting Tsiyu Feb 2012 #6
I just tilled a 25'x4' bed, added potash and a basic organic fertilizer, and planted them, BUT... HopeHoops Feb 2012 #2
I wish I had space that large to plant Tsiyu Feb 2012 #7
We're not on a farm, but we do have .42 of an acre. And yes, that's my daughter. HopeHoops Feb 2012 #11
I've read about your "produce" before and I am impressed Tsiyu Feb 2012 #12
That they are. Her boyfriend may move in here and get a local job. HopeHoops Feb 2012 #13
When I had kids at home Tsiyu Feb 2012 #14
If your space is really small... Ruby Reason Feb 2012 #17
That is a very cool idea Tsiyu Feb 2012 #19
i want to try growing them in bags NMDemDist2 Feb 2012 #3
Ahh that looks like fun Tsiyu Feb 2012 #8
I find potatoes among the easiest things to grow. Denninmi Feb 2012 #4
I had some purples come back last year Tsiyu Feb 2012 #9
Mostly oak leaves, a few other kinds. Denninmi Feb 2012 #15
I love to grow potato's NEOhiodemocrat Feb 2012 #5
What variety are you using? Tsiyu Feb 2012 #10
I use sprouted potato's from the basement supply every year NEOhiodemocrat Feb 2012 #18
Kill the grass first, then dig a trench Kolesar Feb 2012 #16
Thanks for all your suggestions Tsiyu Feb 2012 #20
I have several spots in my small yard where nothing will grow. One section is on the corner Paper Roses Feb 2012 #21
My grocery store came through for me again. Denninmi Feb 2012 #22
Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Gardening»What's your potato growin...»Reply #17