How to Grow Potatoes in a Potato Barrel

The best time to start this project is in spring after your average last frost date. You want "early potato" varieties to grow in your potato barrel. In the Garden Center, look for seed potatoes and follow storage directions on the package.

You can use organic potatoes from the grocery store or farmers market. You want potatoes that have not been treated with chemicals that prevent sprouts from emerging. Prepare whole potatoes by cutting the tubers into 1 1/4-inch chunks. Each piece needs an "eye," the indentation that produces the new shoot. Place the potato pieces on a tray at a cool room temperature, about 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit to dry out. When the surface dries and forms a tough layer, the seed potatoes are ready to plant.

For a potato barrel, you can purchase a grow bag designed just for growing potatoes. They include a handy plastic window for checking on the below-the-surface progress of the potatoes. Other potato barrel containers ideas include: sturdy trash cans, storage totes and whiskey barrels. Be sure your container has adequate drainage. Drill several 1/4" to 1/2" holes at least 6 inches apart.

Another method: Make a cylinder from plastic poultry netting and secure the seam with zip ties. Set upright in a sunny spot like a vegetable garden. Start with a layer of leaf litter or pine straw on the bottom, then proceed with soil layers.

Start the project by filling the bottom of the container with 3 inches of potting soil followed by 3 inches of compost. Place your seed potatoes on the soil, making sure the "eyes" or sprouts are pointed upwards. Try to fit about 4 to 6 seed potatoes in a layer. If you have leaf litter or pine straw, you can spread it on top of the seed potatoes before adding more soil and compost. This is the first layer.

Set the container in a sunny spot. You may want to put it on pavers or risers or even a raised garden bed. Water well. When the potato sprouts are about 8 inches tall, add another layer of potting soil and compost. Continue growing seedlings and layering soil until the container is full.

Potatoes need water to grow, but be careful not to overwater.

Steps to Filling a Potato Barrel:

1. 
   Buy seed potatoes and refrigerate until you are ready to start the planting process.

2. 
   Place 5 to 10 seed potatoes in an open paper bag and place in a cool room out of direct sunlight.

3. 
   When the potatoes have sprouted, lay them in the barrel soil about 6” apart, with the eyes pointing up.

4. 
   Cover the potatoes in the barrel with 6” deep layer of potting soil and compost.

5. 
   Water and keep soil moist at all times.

6. 
   Take out a few more seed potatoes and let them sprout in the open paper bag.

7. 
   When potato foliage in the barrel reaches 6” high, add another layer of soil-compost mix, covering 75 percent of the visible stems and foliage. Plant 5 to 10 more sprouted seed potatoes in the new layer.

8. 
   Repeat steps 2 to 7 until the barrel is full.

9. Harvest: New potatoes are ready to harvest after about 10 weeks. The potato foliage will yellow and die back. This is your cue to harvest the potatoes.

It's simple to harvest from a potato barrel. Just tip the container on its side and pull apart the tubers. Recycle the soil and compost mixture in your garden or compost pile.

Brush the dirt off new potatoes. Store them in a cool, dry place for at least 10 days before preparing and consuming.