3 Mistakes to avoid when growing potatoes in containers

Growing potatoes is such a rewarding and easy crop to grow for beginners but there's a couple of key things to remember to avoid harvesting tiny potatoes.
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[@theborderer1302]

One tip to increase the size of potatoes is to decrease the number of chits on the seed potato. Soon after you start chitting the seed potatoes, cut out excessive chits leaving just 2 or 3 chits. I use an old teaspoon to do this, but be sure to dig them right out. I find I get fewer spuds, but much bigger. Ideal if your growing Maris Piper or King Edwards for chips or roasties.

[@pmacc3557]

I have some small spuds leftover from my first crop. They were very nice and good sizes. The small ones I'm keeping to use as seeds for the next crop. Question; how long can I keep the seeds before they go off? I'm keeping them in a cool room indoors with standard light...more in shade I'd say than full light. Thanks.

[@frankscales7295]

THIS might seem strange but i got hugh spuds last years from my compost heap, just potatoes skins mixed with the normel compost mix, I grow my spuds in burlap sacks beside my outside tap, TY nice vid.

[@patrickhaupt5723]

Thank you for giving us a lot of great information in a short period of time. Succinct and to the point without droning on and on and you did it with a smile. Please keep making videos.

[@solanisomeni]

I have both in ground and container/grow bags for my potatoes. I've tried everything from the "Ruth Stout"(sp?) method. Just laying the seed potatoes on top of the soil and covering with a thick layer of straw. Not that bad of a harvest but, I found that mice and other gnawing creepy crawlies got to them easier than if they were in ground. I'm over in Sweden and Sweden is known for having good potato yields. I can get 2 harvests of potatoes most summers, if I'm able to start early enough. This year, I have invested in felt grow bags. I opted for the large bags that are about 60 liters, filled half way with soil, so I can add more when needed. I've previously grown in huge plastic garbage bags with pretty good result, cardboard boxes lined with chicken wire. Those were real good but, this year apart from my trusty in ground potato bed, I'm giving the black felt grow bags a try. 2 seed potatoes in each.

[@lucrom1097]

Fantastisch Good tips voor patatoes planting te pot good Sunday weekend Top 👍⛅🌿🤗💐🥔

[@ronm6585]

Thank you.

[@woutmoerman711]

Great info in a well edited and short video! Well done ! ❤

[@himselfe]

Glad you added that bit at the end, because I actually prefer small salad/new potatoes for eating. Now I just need to find out if I can grow potatoes via hydroponics, but that's not something relevant to your channel I'd assume. Nice useful tips regardless!

[@trevhopkins9108]

Just harvested my first potatoes. I planted on 6th june. My question is do I replant the plants that still have tiny potatoes growing?. I've got about 20 usable spuds. From 1 spud.

[@stevendowden2579]

enjoyed that video most enjoyable

[@homegrowngarden]

Awesome, thank you!

[@crimsonraen]

Great tips! :)

[@DrShout]

I was so disappointed. I planted Yukon gold potatoes, in a 28 gallon container. Had holes drilled in the bottom. Planted 5 potatoes with chits. Only had one stock grow in each of the 2 pots. The stock was multiple, but from one area each. Watered daily, stock was large. Planted in Feb and by Jun the stocks fell and I proceeded to empty. Not a single potato was in the soil 😢

[@severinappleton3438]

I. Just like listening To your voice all day long - have not that much interests in potato’s - am more interesting watching you ! Keep up all the good work !

[@pilsplease7561]

I grow Determinate varieties in raised beds so that I dont have to worry about hilling at all.

[@rumpoh8039]

ALKALINE SOIL FROM WOODASH IN GREENHOUSE = NONE GROW

[@wedruskimistrz5122]

That is how I Grow Chestnut Trees and always best and most tough come out to prevail. Usually, I prefer for the Mother Nature to take care of its Kin in the form of Natural Selection, Weather Conditions, etc. I like low-maintenance as following Anastasia Ringing Cedars of Russia Book Co-Creating Paradise Gardens is exciting when all is in Harmony!!!

[@ZZZZ-zg3zb]

I use my old beer cooler to grow, potatoes grow up to be drunk,

[@ffxbellini]

Your style of video presentation is refreshingly direct. I like it.

[@HisDudeness59]

Exactly. Get to the point. End the video. Thanks

[@MarlenevT]

I like the tiny potatos. I buy the little ones at the market all the time. They are tender and sweet.

[@TRPGpilot]

They have their place but as a main crop you want large ones for a propr return on effort pout in.

[@solanisomeni]

@MarlenevT Same, I love the small potatoes for regular meal/eating but, I do want a mix of small and large potatoes, since it's much more convenient when making baked, french fries, potato salad, casseroles etc. having the large potatoes, and just dealing, peeling and cutting the large potatoes.

[@BJ-kn2te]

Same, they are sold as chat potatoes in Australia

[@Westernwilson]

3:31

[@raewyncormack2461]

​@@BJ-kn2te Chit potatoes not chat

[@theCodyReeder]

the head coming off the watering can. nice touch 👌

[@plainnpretty]

Because of you I’m growing potatoes in pots this years Thanks

[@Stephen474]

Hi Katrina I always grow two main crop tubers for each 30L pot/bucket, have great success and slug free. Steve

[@brianmoore4299]

I've never had great success growing potatoes. So I don't plant very often. This year I decided I was going to do a better job and I certainly did. What I learned is that they like more water than I was giving them in the past. I gave them that this year and have harvested over thirty pounds so far with at least twenty five pounds more expected with what I still have planted. Lesson learned, they like a lot of water 💦. And they are the best straight from the garden. I share with my neighbors and they all agree. Fantastic flavor. Oh, and they were mostly all real big. Way bigger than store bought.

[@gfhrb39qq]

Use TERRACOTTA CONTAINER, you can make it from bricks. Do not use plastic. Terracotta is fully pack of concentrated ENERGY.

[@crazysquirrel9425]

I put 4 seed potatoes in an 80L grow bag. I also use a wine bottle filled with water, inverted and placed in the center inverted. As soil dries, water is drawn out of the bottle. As soil gets moist, the water flow stops. Pretty automatic. Now, when should I sprinkle potash on the surface and water in?

[@thatguychris5654]

Important tip #4: to get larger potatoes but less of them, allow only one sprout per seed. If you want more but smaller ones, leave all the sprouts on.

[@pmacc3557]

I have some small spuds leftover from my first crop. They were very nice and good sizes. The small ones I'm keeping to use as seeds for the next crop. Question; how long can I keep the seeds before they go off? I'm keeping them in a cool room indoors with standard light...more in shade I'd say than full light. Thanks.

[@gardentours]

I'm always tempted to put many seed potatoes 🥔 🥔🥔 in one pot 🌝 Thank you very much for sharing 👍 Have a nice Sunday 🌼🌞🌻🏖

[@growmad]

Love your videos. A ton of down-to-earth info in an easy-to-understand style. Thank you for making time to produce and post. David

[@finntheraven]

I'm doing a bit of an experiment this year, and doing potatoes in 3 different areas; containers, a ground bed, and a raised bed. Thanks for the tips! :)

[@joeboudreault4351]

Raised bed is always best. I come from the world's most famous potato island.

[@JammyGit]

"Potatoes are one of the easiest veggies to grow" 🙄 Not for me they're not, I have more success growing tomatoes and chillis than I do with spuds 😆 Watching this video reminded me that I have a bag of seed taters in my car, so I've just got them as per your tips....huge pot - tick.....not too many seeds, 6 or 7 - tick......well watered in - tick. Lets see in a couple of months time if I have some big King Edwards 👍

[@gardentours]

I always put too many seed potatoes in one pot but I like the small potatoes so it's not a big problem. Actually those small ones are more expensive if you want to buy them 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔

[@augustvukosovich4683]

You're amazing. Thank you so much!

[@christinemcgowan6079]

I was inspired to grow five different varieties of potato which I sowed in April and have watched the bags of potatoes growing ever since. I've got to say that the potatoes grow very fast. They've caught me by surprise. I'll send pictures when I get the chance. All are growing well.

[@ScouseFarm]

I think 3 seed spuds in my 30L pots is about right. I started with 5 a few years back but as you say, less is more if you want larger spuds. Thanks for the vid, good tips there for beginners. Just subscribed 👍 and if you want a laugh, have a look at my recent Carrot harvest video, they didn't turn out as expected 😂

[@jonathanhampshire6856]

I have some potatoes left in from last year, in my veg beds. They had quite a bit of foliage but were damaged with frost last month. I cut it off and they're sprouting again. I've also planted some Arran pilot (first early), Maris Peer (second early), and Kestrel. (second early). They're all sprouting now. I have more seed potatoes (mainceop) yet to be planted in my garden. Just waiting for some of my tulips to die back. This year is the first time I've bought seed potatoes. I followed in my Dad's footsteps and just planted ones from the Supermarket that had sprouted. Thanks for the videos. 👍

[@GeertPypers]

Well, I got 15ish 33L buckets with various varieties in them and 30ish 10L with main crop potatoes,... so I guess next year I'll flip that around if possible... Great content, thank you! I give grass clippings and wood ash as extra, do you have good experiences with something or the other?

[@Alison2436]

the advice about too many seed potatoes was very helpful! I usually put 3-4 in a 20 gallon grow bag, oips! I've gotten a few Honkers, but more small to medium-sized

[@hmmm..2733]

Phew! So far, so good. I put 3 small potatoes in 5 gallon buckets and have not let them dry out. I don’t know what kind they are…my sister gave me her old, chitted potatoes. I’ve never actually bought seed potatoes. We don’t eat many, so I can them up with herbs to use in soups and stews, mostly. I so love dumping the buckets and finding the treasure!!

[@coquelin]

thanks to you I'm starting to grow potatoes, what's the best month to plant...?? I live in Phoenix AZ. and here is really really hot in the summer months above 105 F degrees

[@fizzyfozbuzz874]

How many pototoes should I put in a 30ltr bucket? I have just harvested mine (i put four potatoes in) they have grown quite small.

[@schautamatic]

I live in way up northern Wisconsin and tried growing potatoes in maybe 10 old 50-pound feed bags. That's Mistake #1 that doesn't apply as there was plenty of volume. I tended to water around twice weekly rather deeply, so Mistake #2 also doesn't apply. As for how many seed potatoes per bag: well, I MIGHT have been a little over-zealous with 5-6 seeders per bag. That MIGHT have been a mistake! 🤦🏻‍♂️I wanted foot-long baking spuds. Instead I got a bunch of little marbles...and blamed NOT living in southeastern Idaho! 😫😸😸

[@noahriding5780]

Do you have any input on the ideal number of waterings per day, etc for container grown potato plants? I have been searching for information about this. Thanks. I'm in an area of low natural water and low humidity, high heat. High # of waterings per day works for tomatoes and cucumbers for us and non-root vegetables. But for root vegetables, and containers... it feels like its different somehow? I wonder what others think about this?

[@ranm1ac]

Thanks for the tips. I think I did the latter. 4 in each larger containers. Hopefully it works out ok.

[@ohiampuja9246]

I would like to ask has anyone tried those big bags 500,,1000 kg, farmers take their fertilizers and seeds? Just got an idea...

[@malc.s.5373]

I was showing off to a lady friend lady year, showing her how easy it was to harvest potatoes from a tub. I stuck my hand in, it felt really warm. I pulled out one potato, then another....looked at my hand.....it was covered in ants. !!! ...

[@jeffreystarits2783]

have you ever tried wicking pots . mine are made out of 1/2 of a plastic 55gal barrels , the hold 6+ gal of water in reserve . easily room for up to 6 plants

[@MM1-fl6ud]

Hi, how do you control weeds? I try to plant in my garden but the weeds grow like a forest and I put Gallop XL weedkiller and it kills everything.

[@bettewall235]

I don't really care about the size -- big or small, I did chuck a few of my seed potatoes in the trash, I put 4 in a really huge pot.

[@DaDunge]

I don't really grow potatoes. I feel they're so dirt cheap to buy anyway. I try to grow higher value crops.

[@SteveMillar-t3f]

March 2024 I have a couple of plastic dustbins I thought about growing potatoes in one which had home made compost in, there was some potatoes I had that was seeding so I dropped them them in the covered up some more went after a time in the end it was filled as the foliage died I broke it off now we are in Aug I am still got foliage growing so I don’t know what I have in the dustbin and won’t know until it dies off, hoping though for a good crop, if it works it shall be done again next year

[@ThaedDavid]

Nice to see potatoes so happy to be in a video at 2:30.

[@RCSVirginia]

The look on her face in the thumbnail photograph so perfectly captures the feelings of so many women when something that they were eagerly anticipating turns out to be much tinier than they thought it would be.

[@virsapiensfortisest922]

😂

[@scuffy1211]

Lollll yes

[@Edward-turtle]

My spuds are huge!!!!!!!!!!! but I've only got a small cucumber alas

[@caroldanson5476]

Iused a packing box yfirst time growing potatoes anddid well.I got 22 potatoes from 4 seed potatoes.

[@i1bike]

I grow potatoes in market, here in croatia, 1kg of poatatoes is less than euro. Green beans in other hand 8 euros, so yea

[@BenVickers-m6t]

What compost should I use as I'm new to growing

[@kenbellchambers4577]

Thanks so much. I have been a 'too many potatoes', planted in 'too small a pot, with 'not enough water', guy. Great info.

[@fvrrljr]

hmm, mine grew small cause of small containers. no problem since i didn't think they'd grow but did and the bush looks very beautiful. daughter does not like potatoes but she saw how little they were and was smitten by them *"they're so cute"* i cooked them, now she'll ask me to make a baked potato with all the trimmings

[@iraqiforever3665]

Thanks for this advising..for information in IRAQ the potato has two seasons in one year 😊

[@MikeJohnson-fs3ct]

Help, I have planted way too many in a small trough, shall I pull some out now to give the rest a chance?

[@michaelhaig1317]

Very guilty of sticking too many in … and always surprised when they’re tiny!

[@Ben-y4t6d]

Hi katrina I'm new to this what is the best compost to use in pots

[@motobakin]

“The size does matter”

[@davidclark9086]

I have made all 3 mistakes and have always been disappointed. This year I am avoiding the errors and hopefully will have a better crop. Thanks for the video.

[@truth3358]

Do not water every day after the shoots are visible then only once a week haven’t had a problem

[@Fishingadventureuk]

Just got an allotment. Come here for tips

[@KukLinSky]

Here in finland those tiny potatoes are very popular,

[@susanrand512]

1st time planting potatoes, haven't had to water much, getting rain up to 4 times a week, they have flowered, keeping my fingers crossed, thanks😊

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

When growing in containers, potatoes get dry very quickly. The solution is place the pots in a raised bed and put about 6 inched of wood chippings to cover the base of the raised bed and up the sides of the pots. The wood chips will absorb water and because the bottom of the pots are buried in the wood chips, water will wick up into the pots.

[@bFORCe2003]

The small potatoes are the best to eat. I like them baked.

[@karlgru3n654]

Size matters and less is more. Water more. ;)

[@charlesedwarddavisjr.6022]

Looks like you still making those mistakes

[@heathers8826]

I am using grow bags for the first time this year. Both bags are completely filled with compost now, with just a hint of growth starting to peek through.

[@ChristineSharples]

Please explain earlies latest etc

[@caves7361]

Nice video. Simple and straight to the point.

[@lonefoxbushcraft]

Wow your nice lol ❤

[@WhitRose97]

I have some 40L grow bags I bought this year. So you'd recommend 2 seed potatoes max if I want larger ones?

[@homegrowngarden]

It’s just a general guide. Maybe run an experiment of your own to see which works best! Try some with 2 and others with 3 😃

[@BrianM-44041]

Ill never dig potatoes again now that ive mastered conrainer potatoes. Game changing!

[@VoiceSriLanka]

Came here after watching your bird box video. Thought you would have fixed a camera in it.

[@homegrowngarden]

I don’t have electricity on my allotment 🙂

[@timetraveller1527]

Im a beginner, thank you for this info

[@bobroberts9306]

Thanks for the potato advice. Two years ago I ordered four types of potatoes and grew them in 30 gal barrels and had some large potatoes, but most were very small. Of course, because of the large container, I had planted about 8-10 potatoes in each pot. Now I know what happened. I'll try again, maybe 4 max in each 30 gal pot? You are the first person I've come across mentioning planting 1-2 only and why. I had decided not to try growing potatoes again after the lousy first try. Because of you, I'll give it another try. Thanks again.

[@mattharvey8712]

Bravo......hey size don't matter........many does.......cheers

[@youtubecertified4643]

Why have many small potatoes when they could all be large?

[@GottaBeThere2736]

⚘ Needed and appreciated!

[@stevenking3286]

Nice video, short and sweet!

[@gregbluefinstudios4658]

thanks... great tips. Year 5 for me, and Potato. I grow in 25 gallon (95 liter) Fabric Grow Bags. I feed more often and I water daily. (the fabric drains both moisture and nutrients, so, need to do both more frequently than other container types) I aim for about a 7 to 10 times return based on seed potato weight. 7 is good, 10 is my goal. My first bag this season? Just about hit 11 times return!!!! Cheers from across the big pond, in New England.

[@makeryellow9273]

Can you make a video for pumpkins or carrots🙂?

[@homegrowngarden]

Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll see what I can do 😁

[@LifeHomeandGardenwithAnaRica]

Thanks for a great potato tips!

[@homegrowngarden]

You are so welcome!

[@gregroth4696]

How about fertilizer hints? Very nice video by the way. Most useful. I'm about to plant in pots. Second how to keep slugs out? Thanks so much!

[@metamud8686]

1. Size does matter. 2. Stick your finger in 2/3 of the way, check for moistness. 3. No more than two go in at a time. Can you cram in more "that's what she said" in a single 3 minute video? I doubt it! Anyway, jokes aside .. great beginner tips I'd say. And I'm definitely a breaker of rule #3, I tend to put in 4, where perhaps I should've put in 2 potatoes. It's one of those really big cement mixing pots though.

[@RT3Creations-Learn]

Great video! Thanks to you, I think I’ll embark on my potato growing journey!! Thanks for giving me the confidence!

[@ZappBrannigan88]

Thanks so much for the vid, just a quick question regarding pot size. I've got 90L pots, should I still only put two seed potatoes in per pot when growing main crop potatoes?

[@calmblueocean7243]

Really good info, thanks - just discovered your channel and subscribed! ✌😊

[@metalmartha2571]

I wish I would’ve watched this video last week. I planted Viking potatoes, 3 to 25 gallon bucket hoping they do better than just itty-bitty potatoes but I will take your advice and plant the rest one to a bucket.

[@patricecarter5096]

I'm a first timer on your channel and all the "mistakes" you said, is what I did this Year...I think my most is not watering enough....will do better in the next season...thank you so much for your video

[@RimfireNZ]

I thought I did all of these right and still got tiny or hardly any potatoes per plant 🤷‍♂️ Oh well, will try again this year.

[@doughaynes1048]

Hi Katrina , Have you ever used potato bags ?

[@homegrowngarden]

I haven’t used them before as I’ve continued to reuse the same pots over and over. I imagine that they work fine but I would be sure to buy good quality ones that won’t fall apart after one season and that they will retail water well enough.

[@Wandjina104]

Mistake number 4. Not shading the pot from direct sunlight. Potatoes will appear to be growing well but if the soil is heating up the volume of the pot which will produce potatoes is restricted. Pototoes do not like hot soil. They will appear to wilt even if the soil is moist.

[@Joan-j1e]

Thank you. This year I am growing pots for the first time. It seems like I have made one mistake you talked about, I planted 5 potatoes in a 10 gallon grow bag. They looked lovely to start it’s been 2 months and they do not look healthy.

[@johnwilson230]

First earlys one seed spud per 5l gives growing space. I do one spud in a 5l water flower bucket and my bigger pots 25l 30 l pot three or two. I'd also advise not to grow main crop if you can in containers they grow so much better in the ground. But if your limited for space containers you'll have to. I have one bed for main crop but all my other spuds in containers I v planted about 200 seed spuds this year iv family who have some friends at work who have some first early spuds in salads taste great I love them. Main crop just great for chiping wedges roasting which I use goose fat there amazeing. Allbthe best take care.😊😊😊

[@DebRoo11]

-use a big enough container -lots of watering, deeply less frequently -don't put too many seed potatoes in one pot