Big enough containers for potatoes?

[amandajcd]

I'm growing potatoes for the first time, and using containers. I'd read about using builders buckets, and also I think someone on here suggested using flower buckets. I got some today from Morrisons - eight for 99p, bargain - but now I don't know if they look big enough. They're about the same height as a standard bucket, but a bit narrower, approx dimensions are 10.5" in height, 9.5" across the top narrowing to 7.5" at the bottom. I'm planting Desiree, if that makes any difference?

I'm sure I can find another use for them, but I was rather hoping they'd do the job for the spuds.

[shirlthegirl43]

I use them for spuds. Plant one seed spud per bucket. Don't forget to drill drainage holes in them first You won't get as big a crop as in the ground but you will get a crop. Make sure you keep them well watered once the foliage appears - rain won't do the job as it runs off the leaves and the soil will still be dry.

[amandajcd]

Thanks Shirley

[Jillyreeves]

I have a few Charlottes on the go in flower buckets, planted up end of February, currently growing in my unheated conservatory. Not expecting a big crop just a few early tasty treats.

[Furny]

I have a few Charlottes on the go in flower buckets, planted up end of February, currently growing in my unheated conservatory. Not expecting a big crop just a few early tasty treats.

Hi
Do you find this is the best place for them at the moment?.I'm thinking of putting mine in my un- heated conservatory too as the weather is terrible at the moment & the pots are all chitted up & needing to go in.

[solway cropper]

I think I posted this somewhere else also but I have 25 first earlies growing away in various containers in an unheated greenhouse and all are thriving. It's definitely the way to go if you want an early crop. As Jilly says, don't expect a huge crop but....oh, I'm salivating just thinking about those first few handfuls of new spuds

[falkon]

IKEA nylon bags, are these any good for potatoes.. they are not very deep but instead very wide... have anybody any experience with them...

[Jillyreeves]

Hi
Do you find this is the best place for them at the moment?.I'm thinking of putting mine in my un- heated conservatory too as the weather is terrible at the moment & the pots are all chitted up & needing to go in.

Yes keep them in an unheated conservatory or greenhouse for now, until the weather improves and the risk of frost has passed, then they can go outside.

[piskieinboots]

....oh, I'm salivating just thinking about those first few handfuls of new spuds

..with butter and mint from the garden - yummmm

[Bigmallly]

..with butter and mint from the garden - yummmm

Dare I ask how you grow butter...................runs for cover.

[Sanjo]

IKEA nylon bags, are these any good for potatoes.. they are not very deep but instead very wide... have anybody any experience with them...

No experience of using these but do have one which I use as a laundry bag so know the size you are talking about. I personally wouldn't use it because it would take up too much of my space. When you plant a spud you "earth" it up as the foliage appears, partly to protect it from early frost, it stops the growing baby spud from getting any green on it because the light has got to it, but also it allows more spuds to grow from the haulm ~(the stem). Without the depth it might be difficult.
Having said that, I do grow my main lot of spuds by the no dig method and on that basis it might work. The bag would be deep enough for this method but you would need to make sure that no spud is near the surface.
IF I was to use it, I would put a few inches of compost in the bottom, put the spuds in and cover with another 3-4 inches. When the foliage appears just keep topping up until no more soil will fit.
In that size bag I would put 4-5 spuds.
You should get something from it. REMEMBER THOUGH, that the bag is unstable and would be difficult to move.
Other grapes will no doubt have their opinions on the use of the bag. It will be interesting to see the diversity of answers. Sanjo

[Bigmallly]

I'm with you Sanjo, I have about 20/30 bags which I plan to use for spuds. The bags will be put in their growing place as I plant them up. The bags will be rolled down then gradually unrolled as they are earthed up. Once full, they will be left & fingers will be crossed.

[sarah_h]

We use B & Q black rubble sacks. �3.95 for 10. They're 60cm tall and about 40cm wide and have been perfect for 2 or three tats. We had a great crop last year. This year we have 30 sacks full.

[threepeas]

what compost do you use sarah h? It is a good idea i think i will do that for my garden at work i work with adults with LD and thought i would grow some vegs with them this year. so ithink i will take them do to b and q today and buy some bags.

[sarah_h]

Well, we just use the general purpose b & q stuff. �3.98 a bag.

The great thing with this that we've found is the tats come out really clean. We just add compost as the plant grows until they're right at the top. Then we wait for the foliage to die back and tip out. There may be better way to do this but it works for us and it blooming fun!