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Drainage holes in potato bags?

BouncingBackBouncingBack Posts: 142
in Fruit & veg
Growing potatoes for the first time, chitted them then planted them out yesterday. Bought bags specifically labelled potato growing bags, but they only have drainage holes roughly 8cm up the side on two of the sides. I've put the bags on top of small, level rocks so they're not sitting directly on the patio. Do I need to poke holes in the bottom to prevent waterlogging? Struggling to see how they're not going to become waterlogged otherwise.

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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited April 2023
    Having the drainage holes a little way up the sides enables a small reservoir of water to be retained at the base while preventing the rest of the soil and the roots from being waterlogged. It’ll be fine as it is 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • BouncingBackBouncingBack Posts: 142
    Excellent thank you! Should I leave them on the rocks (which are essentially acting as pot feet although there are no holes in the bottom) or have them straight on the patio?
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I don’t think they need to be on ‘feet’ but you could try both and let us know if there’s any difference 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • BouncingBackBouncingBack Posts: 142
    I was thinking it might help prevent fungus growing underneath the bags, but don't know if it could actually encourage the opposite!
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