I am going to talk about growing potatoes in buckets and grow bags.
First, purchase seed potatoes from a certified distributor. Seed potatoes are not seeds, they are potatoes. They are like a mother plant. Potatoes from the grocery store may have been treated with sprayed with a sprout inhibitor. Seed potatoes are best planted between mid-January to mid-March.
Next, cut the seed potatoes into pieces with at least 2 eyes each. Store pieces at room temperature for 1 to 2 days before planting to allow the cuts to form a callus.
If you are using a bucket or another container make sure there is adequate drainage. Grow bags have drainage.
In your bucket or grow bag, put about 6 inches of soil. Put in the potato pieces about 6 inches apart then cover with about 3 inches of soil. Plant them with their eyes up.
As the leafy part of the potato grows add straw or shredded paper or even some soil around the stems.
I put my buckets on my regular drip system. Once the rain stops the buckets are watered twice a week.
Potatoes are ready to harvest when the vines die back.
Yes, it’s that easy!
I know this is going to sound odd, but growing potatoes makes me feel like a real farmer!
Visit the UC Master Gardener Program of Colusa County website for a list of recommended trees for our area: www.cecolusa.ucanr.edu
