Growing your own potatoes in a woven wood barrel is a fun and rewarding experience, allowing you to enjoy fresh, homegrown potatoes throughout the season. Here's a step-by-step guide to get you started:

1. Choose your location:

• Select a sunny spot that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.

• Ensure the area is well-drained and protected from strong winds.

• If you're using a patio or deck, choose a sturdy location that can support the weight of the barrel and growing potatoes.

2. Prepare the barrel:

• Line the bottom of the barrel with a layer of drainage material, such as gravel, broken terracotta pots, or landscape fabric. This allows excess water to drain and prevents root rot.

• Fill the bottom 1/3 of the barrel with a good quality potting mix suitable for vegetables. You can also create your own mix using compost, garden soil, and sand.

3. Planting the potatoes:

• Choose certified seed potatoes suitable for container growing. Choose varieties that mature early or are compact, like 'Swift' or 'Yukon Gold.'

• Cut the potatoes into pieces with at least one "eye" on each piece. Let the cut pieces dry for a few hours before planting.

• Plant the potato pieces with the "eyes" facing upwards, about 2-3 inches deep. Space the pieces 4-6 inches apart.

• Cover the planted potatoes with more potting mix, leaving about 4 inches of space from the top of the barrel.

4. Watering and care:

• Water the potatoes regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week.

• As the potato plants grow, add more potting mix to the barrel as the stems elongate. This encourages the potatoes to form underground.

• Fertilize the plants once a month with a balanced fertilizer diluted to half strength.

• Watch out for pests and diseases like potato blight. Use organic methods like neem oil or insecticidal soap to control them.

5. Harvesting your potatoes:

• When the potato plants start to flower and the leaves die back, it's time to harvest!

• You can use our handy latch to expose the potatoes. Dig carefully into the soil around the base of the barrel to find the potatoes.

• Choose the potatoes that are firm and have reached the desired size.

• Store the harvested potatoes in a cool, dark place with good ventilation.

Additional tips:

• You can plant additional vegetables like herbs or lettuce around the base of the potato plants for companion planting benefits.

• If you live in a colder climate, consider bringing the barrel indoors before the first frost to protect the potatoes from freezing.

• Reuse the potting mix and barrel for another season after harvesting the potatoes.

With proper care and attention, your Woven Wood Potato Barrel can provide you with a delicious and rewarding harvest of homegrown potatoes. Enjoy the process and savor the fresh taste of your hard work!