Growing Potatoes In Containers Indoors
Growing vegetables and herbs in containers is becoming increasingly popular. It is even possible to grow potatoes in containers. This is a great way to grow edible goods if you have a shortage of space or you just wish to protect your crop from insects and bugs. Container gardening is simple and cheap to do. Many vegetables can be grown in containers and potatoes are not much different, but you do need to follow some simple rules to ensure success.
Any type of container will do for a potato crop; it just needs to be large enough for the roots which do need lots of space. A good example of the kind of size you need is a medium sized trash can that will hold around ten to fifteen gallons. You will need to ensure that you have adequate drainage so you should either punch holes in the base or use something that has a porous bottom. Potato roots rot if the water cannot drain quickly.
When growing potatoes in containers it is important not to use the soil from your yard or garden as the good quality of the soil is essential. The best soil to use is good potting soil and this will be worth the investment as soil from the back yard may contain fungi or clay that will stop your potatoes growing as well as they should. A special slow release fertilizer should be used in your soil that is specifically designed for this kind of root vegetable this will enable the crop to grow quickly and give you a high yield.
The most important aspect of growing potatoes in containers is ensuring that they have adequate sunlight and water. Potatoes need approximately six to eight hours of sunlight per day. Situate your containers facing south if possible to get the most light and make sure that you keep them watered well. The soil should be slightly moist at all times. Providing too much water will rot the roots so be careful and check the soil moisture before hand.
Planting the seeds is done with the eyes pointing up, in affordable empty egg cartons. Keep them in a dark and cool place so that they will sprout to about an inch in height. At this point, they can be planted into the container soil. Basically, one only needs to push the sprouts down gently, so that they are just beneath the surface. Ideally, they need about 10 inches in circumference to grow properly, avoiding overcrowding them, as this is not recommended. You will be surprised as to how many organic potatoes you will get from each plant even when growing potatoes in containers.
Want to learn more about growing potatoes in containers, then visit our site about growing potatoes in containers for more tips and tricks.
