I have grown in both bags and the ground for the last few years but this year am going to stick to bags only as the results have been much better with them. I have to say that I grow only first earlies
I do have a couple of purpose made potato bags but mainly just use old compost bags. They are basically free and just need some holes punched in the bottom.
As all have suggested above all production occurs above the tuber although I put about 4-6" of a mixture of garden soil and compost under to start them off.
I used bags and pots last year - started with them about a third full of growing compost and then earthed up with a mixture of soil / compost and grass cuttings - they all went well - you can use plastic boxes too (the re cycling kind - for newspapers) spuds will grow anywhere!
Don't forget you can always use your own 're-cycled water' as a fertiliser - 1 part wee to anywhere between 7 to 10 parts water - this can go straight over leaves - it's free and full of nutrients!
With you on that and it's hell trying to gather enough LOL! But for watering, you need it fairly fresh (not so for compost heap) so a pint with 7 of water gives you a watering can full!
Posts
I have grown in both bags and the ground for the last few years but this year am going to stick to bags only as the results have been much better with them. I have to say that I grow only first earlies
I do have a couple of purpose made potato bags but mainly just use old compost bags. They are basically free and just need some holes punched in the bottom.
As all have suggested above all production occurs above the tuber although I put about 4-6" of a mixture of garden soil and compost under to start them off.
I used bags and pots last year - started with them about a third full of growing compost and then earthed up with a mixture of soil / compost and grass cuttings - they all went well - you can use plastic boxes too (the re cycling kind - for newspapers) spuds will grow anywhere!
Don't forget you can always use your own 're-cycled water' as a fertiliser - 1 part wee to anywhere between 7 to 10 parts water - this can go straight over leaves - it's free and full of nutrients!
Frenscan - haven't got any spare bags at the moment but that is a sensible idea for future
Road Apple Stew - ach if I use the wee on the potatoes, what will I use on the compost heap?!?
Minos I get spud bags from Wilko really cheap they last 2 - 3 yrs but more economical than GC ones that don't last all that much longer.
With you on that and it's hell trying to gather enough LOL! But for watering, you need it fairly fresh (not so for compost heap) so a pint with 7 of water gives you a watering can full!
If you have varieties susceptible to scab, use ericaceous compost.