Growing Potatoes in Grow Bags and Sacks

Growing Potatoes in Grow Bags and Sacks

Short on space or lacking a garden bed? Grow bags and potato sacks let you grow fantastic crops right on your patio, balcony, or driveway. This space-saving method can deliver surprisingly big yields if you follow a few basics.

Why Use Grow Bags and Sacks?

• Space Savers:
  Perfect for patios, balconies, and renters—move them anywhere sunny!
• Clean & Convenient:
  No digging at harvest; simply tip the bag over to collect your potatoes.
• Disease Control:
  Fresh compost every year means fewer problems with soil-borne pests and diseases.
• Flexible Planting Dates:
  Bags warm up faster, letting you plant earlier in the spring (or even late summer for a Christmas crop).

Choosing Your Bag or Sack

• Size Matters:
  Go for bags holding at least 35–50 liters (about 10–13 gallons)—the bigger the better.
• Material:
  Breathable fabric or hessian works best, but even heavy-duty plastic or sturdy supermarket tote bags can work in a pinch.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Bag:
   • Fill the bottom 15cm (6 in) with multipurpose compost or a mix of compost and garden soil.
2. Planting:
   • Place 3–5 seed potatoes on the compost, eyes up.
   • Cover with 10cm (4 in) more compost.
3. As Potatoes Grow:
   • When shoots are 15–20cm (6–8 in) tall, cover them with another layer of compost, leaving just the tops visible.
   • Repeat until the bag is full; this “earthing up” maximizes your yield by encouraging more tubers to form up the stem.
4. Watering & Feeding:
   • Bags dry quickly, so check moisture daily and water well in dry spells.
   • Feed every 2–3 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer or potato food.
5. Location:
   • Place in full sun, sheltered from strong wind. You can move them to chase the sun if needed!

Harvesting from Bags or Sacks

• New Potatoes: Ready to harvest once plants begin flowering—reach in and gently take what you need.
• Maincrop: Wait for foliage to die back, then tip the bag onto a tarp or tray and collect every last spud.

Handy Tips

• Punch a few drainage holes in plastic bags before use.
• Try growing different varieties in each bag for extended harvest and taste testing.
• Reuse bags every year—just start with fresh compost!

What’s Next?

Ready to go even more creative? Up next: The No-Dig Potato Method—grow big harvests with minimal effort using a technique that’s perfect for busy or no-till gardeners.