How to use a Potato Barrel to grow your own Potatoes

Dec 01, 2023

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!