Growing Potatoes in Buckets: Step-by-Step UK Guide
Introduction
Dreaming of digging up your own homegrown potatoes, even if you only have a small patio, balcony, or garden? With just a bucket, some compost, and a little patience, you can enjoy a rewarding and surprisingly easy potato harvest. Growing potatoes in buckets is perfect for beginners, small-space gardeners, and anyone who loves the satisfaction of homegrown food.
In this complete UK guide, you’ll learn how to grow potatoes in buckets step-by-step, including the best varieties to choose, when to plant, care tips, harvesting advice, and how to maximise your yield. Let’s turn your buckets into bountiful potato patches!
Why Grow Potatoes in Buckets?
- 🪴 Space-saving – Perfect for patios, balconies, and small gardens
- 🌱 Easy to manage – No digging, weeding, or complicated soil prep
- 🧺 Cleaner harvest – Simply tip out the bucket when ready
- 🍽️ Delicious rewards – Homegrown potatoes taste fresher and sweeter
- 🌍 Flexible growing – Start earlier or extend the season easily
What You’ll Need
Before you start, gather these simple supplies:
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Bucket (or large container) | At least 10–15 litres with drainage holes |
| Seed potatoes | Choose certified disease-free varieties |
| Multipurpose compost | Peat-free and rich in nutrients |
| Slow-release fertiliser | Optional boost for healthy growth |
| Watering can | Regular watering is essential |
Tip: Old builder’s buckets, compost bags, or special potato grow bags work just as well!
Best Potato Varieties for Buckets (UK)
Choose quick-maturing, compact varieties for best results in containers:
| Type | Varieties | Harvest Time |
|---|---|---|
| First Earlies | ‘Swift’, ‘Rocket’, ‘Pentland Javelin’ | June–July |
| Second Earlies | ‘Charlotte’, ‘Kestrel’, ‘Nicola’ | July–August |
| Maincrop | ‘Desiree’, ‘King Edward’ (needs bigger containers) | September–October |
First Earlies are the easiest and quickest option for beginners.
When to Plant Potatoes in Buckets (UK)
| Type | Planting Time | Harvest Time |
|---|---|---|
| First Earlies | March–April | June–July |
| Second Earlies | April–May | July–August |
| Maincrop | April | September–October |
Chitting seed potatoes (letting them sprout) 2–4 weeks before planting speeds up growth. Start chitting in February by placing potatoes in a cool, light spot indoors.
Step-by-Step: How to Grow Potatoes in Buckets
🪣 Step 1: Prepare Your Bucket
- Drill several drainage holes in the bottom if there aren’t any already
- Add a 5–7cm layer of gravel or crocks to improve drainage
- Fill with 15cm of multipurpose compost mixed with slow-release fertiliser
🥔 Step 2: Plant Your Seed Potatoes
- Place 1–2 chitted seed potatoes on top of the compost, sprout side up
- Cover with 10–15cm of compost
- Water well but gently
🌱 Step 3: Earthing Up as They Grow
- Once shoots are 15–20cm tall, add more compost around stems, covering all but the top leaves
- Repeat this process every 2–3 weeks until the bucket is nearly full
- This encourages more tubers to form along the buried stems
💦 Step 4: Watering and Feeding
- Water consistently, especially during dry spells—potatoes hate drying out
- Feed with liquid tomato fertiliser once flowering begins for bigger yields
- Avoid waterlogging—ensure the bucket drains freely
🌞 Step 5: Positioning Your Buckets
- Place buckets in a sunny, sheltered spot
- Rotate occasionally for even growth
- Protect young shoots from late frosts with fleece or by moving buckets under cover
Timeline for Growing Potatoes in Buckets
| Week | Task |
|---|---|
| Week 0 | Plant seed potatoes |
| Week 2–3 | Shoots emerge |
| Week 3–6 | Earth up with more compost |
| Week 8+ | Plants flower – tubers forming |
| Week 10–14 | Check early varieties for harvest readiness |
| Week 14+ | Harvest maincrop buckets |
How to Harvest Bucket Potatoes
- Watch for yellowing, dying foliage—this signals potatoes are ready
- Stop watering about 10 days before harvesting to harden skins (maincrops)
- Tip the bucket over onto a tarp or sheet
- Gently sift through the compost to find your spuds!
- Handle carefully—bruised potatoes don’t store well
First Earlies: Harvest when flowers open or disappear (June–July)
Maincrops: Harvest when foliage dies back fully (September–October)
How Many Potatoes Per Bucket?
| Size of Container | Number of Seed Potatoes | Approximate Yield |
|---|---|---|
| 10–15 litre bucket | 1 potato | 1–2kg (2–4lbs) |
| 30 litre bucket | 2–3 potatoes | 3–5kg (6–10lbs) |
Tip: Resist the urge to overcrowd! Too many seed potatoes = smaller harvests.
Top Tips for Success
- ✅ Use certified seed potatoes – Reduces risk of disease
- ✅ Chit for 2–4 weeks – Helps with quicker, stronger growth
- ✅ Keep buckets watered – Especially once tubers start forming
- ✅ Earth up regularly – Encourages more potatoes
- ✅ Harvest early for baby new potatoes – Delicious and tender
Common Problems When Growing Potatoes in Buckets
| Problem | Symptoms | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Dry soil | Wilting, small tubers | Water consistently and mulch if needed |
| Overwatering | Rotten tubers, smelly compost | Improve drainage and water less often |
| Frost damage | Blackened leaves | Cover with fleece or move indoors temporarily |
| Blight (late summer) | Blackened stems, slimy foliage | Harvest early, discard infected plants |
| Slugs | Holes in tubers | Use nematodes or beer traps near buckets |
Best Companion Plants for Potatoes in Buckets
Although buckets are small, nearby plants can help:
| Companion Plant | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Marigolds | Repel pests naturally |
| Basil | Repels aphids |
| Beans | Fix nitrogen in soil nearby |
| Garlic or onions | Deter aphids and beetles |
Avoid planting near tomatoes if possible to minimise blight spread.
Bonus: Growing Early, Maincrop, and Christmas Potatoes
🥔 First Earlies (New Potatoes)
- Sow in March
- Harvest in June–July
- Ideal for quick, tender potatoes
🥔 Maincrop Potatoes
- Sow in April
- Harvest in September–October
- Better for storing over winter
🎄 Christmas Potatoes
- Sow July–August in buckets
- Keep indoors or under fleece by October
- Harvest in December for festive meals!
Conclusion
Growing potatoes in buckets is one of the easiest, most satisfying ways to enjoy your own homegrown produce—no matter how much (or how little) garden space you have. With a sunny spot, a little compost, and some care, you’ll soon be digging up fresh, flavour-packed spuds that are better than anything from the supermarket.
Whether you’re after tender new potatoes for early summer salads or hearty maincrops for winter meals, following these simple steps will ensure a bucketful of success!
Top 10 Questions and Answers About Growing Potatoes in Buckets
1. How many potatoes can you grow in a 10–15 litre bucket?
Plant one seed potato for the best results—expect 1–2kg harvest.
2. Do I need to chit potatoes before planting?
It’s highly recommended! Chitting speeds up sprouting and improves yields.
3. How often should I water bucket potatoes?
Water regularly, ensuring the compost is moist but not waterlogged—daily in hot weather.
4. What compost is best for growing potatoes?
Use peat-free multipurpose compost, enriched with organic matter or slow-release fertiliser.
5. Can I reuse compost from potato buckets?
You can—but not for potatoes again, to avoid disease. Use it for flowers or leafy greens.
6. What are the signs potatoes are ready to harvest?
Yellowing, dying foliage indicates they’re ready; flowers are another hint for first earlies.
7. Do bucket potatoes get blight?
Less often than ground-grown—but still possible. Move under shelter if blight hits nearby.
8. Can I grow potatoes indoors in buckets?
Yes, if you have enough light—ideal for Christmas potatoes!
9. Are homegrown potatoes better tasting?
Definitely! Freshness and soil health give homegrown spuds superior flavour.
10. Is it worth growing potatoes in buckets?
Absolutely—easy, fun, space-saving, and incredibly rewarding!