Grow Potatoes In Wicking Buckets Kiddie Pools for Water No Pest Container Gardening

Planting Potatoes in Containers, A few simple easily obtained items; bucket and Kiddie pool, allow me to grow in an arid climate with very little work. By choosing early varieties I can grow multiple crops in a year.
People are legitimately concerned about mosquitoes. My solution is to naturally control them using mosquito fish/gambusia and creating a habitat for dragonflies to breed and live.
Alternative ways to do this. Drain the ponds and use the water to irrigate other plants.
Add Mosquito dunks to the water. Mosquito dunks are effective for up to 30days on live wrigglers but won’t kill the mosquito eggs. It contains BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis bacteria) that does not directly harm dragonflies. However it has a Knock-on effect, meaning by removing one of their food sources it lowers the number of adult dragonflies that eat the biting mosquitoes. That's why I choose not to use it. It's also extra work, an extra expense and isn’t a long-term solution. The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is an aggressive day-biting mosquito that is a growing problem.
How To Grow Potatoes In Buckets, Pot, Kiddie Pool POTATO Harvest NO Dig No Pest Container Gardening 31322 9526
#containergardening #watergardens #mosquitocontrol

[@HJG-1019]

*A rare treat when we get to see & hear Gary talk about Gardening!* _Keep up the "good works"!_

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thanks, will do!

[@annieb7919]

Oh Gary ~ How did you know my age? (I was the 83rd thumbs up!) HA! Every year I say it'll be my last year gardening! So far, every year so far has NOT been my last year gardening! I have 1/4 acre in the center of the U.S. and have been gardening in washer & dryer tubs for 25 years! (I need something stable to lean on!) Also, I get around in the yard and garden area with the use of a ski pole! Not only does it provide stability, it aerates at the same time! I'm hoping for a huge (cough, cough!) potato crop! This is the first year I've planted spuds in my tubs! I have B&W (of course!) pictures of me helping my dad plant potatoes on the farm 80 years ago! How things have changed ~ in MANY ways! I love to watch you and Robbie AND the pup! Thanks, to the "three" of you, for SO many great tips ~ AND the encouragement AND the sheer joy! Would LOVE to see you more often, Gary!

[@maydaygarden]

@Annie B Gardener Scott has a KZbin channel where he recently discussed lessons and philosophy learned from a 95 year old gardener who taught him in a Master Gardener class years ago. The episode is called Wise Words. Very insightful. I know I will always be a gardener.

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thanks for your kind words Annie. All the best for this growing season.

[@sjr7822]

"spuds in my tubs! " smile

[@annieb7919]

@@sjr7822 Rub a dub dub! Smiles 2 U 2!

[@lmichelle6244]

WOW...Robbie & Gary, you two have an amazing paradise that you've grown all around you 😊💕🌱💕

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Yes, thank you

[@gwenkilby]

It's always such a treat to get a video from Gary! He's so thorough, even scientific. He perfects his techniques and then shares them with every detail. Thank you Gary, sure do appreciate you!

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thank you ! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ab_ab_c]

Pro tip: Dump your potato bucket contents onto a 20"W x 30"L wirecloth (1/4" holes) (that is mounted in a wood frame) to let the soil fall though into a wheel barrow as you break up & search for potatoes. It allows you to efficiently find 100% of the potatoes & gives you a convenient & efficient way to redistribute your used soil to your soil pile or where ever else you may want to dump it. Thanks for sharing!

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thanks for the tip. I like that idea. The small hand sifter I built will work perfectly. I did a video a few years ago. It sounds better sped up. The link to it is kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnTKcouJi7WqqdU

[@ab_ab_c]

@@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy You can also grow potatoes in 100% finished compost with 2/3C of urine applied at planting time & 1/3C urine at bloom time. Free fertilizer is a good thing. Urine has 9.3g N per L. I usually dilute it with water in a 1:1 ratio (meaning equal volumes of urine & water). Note: If you take any medications or you have any UTIs, then it is not a good idea to use that urine. Happy Gardening!

[@bendingo6]

Those Dragonflies are awesome! I haven't seen anyone else working with them! That's a great idea to keep them hydrated over the warmer months.

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

They are!

[@an-alechianeathery770]

You do a wonderful job explaining you way you grow and vegetable you talk about. Love your video

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thank you so much Alechia, a lot of people liked your comment!

[@mariannerapp411]

This is my first season growing "The Robbie Way". :) I started composting in the containers in February and March, and planted in late March to April. Everything is doing great. All I have to do is open my door or a window to hear outrageously happy birds. I've been harvesting strawberries, blackberries, tomatoes, bellpeppers, and am waiting on onions, watermelon, chrysanthemum melon, and cantelope. I've got potatoes coming up everywhere, and I didn't plant them. LOL.. I saw your volunteer potato harvest and decided to peel my potatoes extra thick, and when trimming the bad spots, cut off a nice chunk to see what would happen in my compost. I harvested my first potatoes the other day. Small, but so cute. I've also started rooting cuttings in my totes so that I can share dwarf fruits that are happy in pots with friends. No more making a big deal out of it. No more balancing lots of small pots on windowsills. I cut some new growth branches, and just stuck them in the "Robbie Tote". :) I'm having a 100% success rate with dwarf everbearing mulberrys and pomegranates. I've going to try propogating my thornless, bush-type, pot-friendly blackberries. I wanted to share a tip about moving (dragging) 18 gallon Sterilite totes when they are full of soil. When I tried grabbing them my the handle and pulled, the handles cracked. However, if I grabbed them by opposite corners instead, they didn't crack at all. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

I'm glad Robbie's ideas are working for you. Thanks for sharing.

[@LillyR539]

Thanks Gary for all the great advice on potatoes your garden looks beautiful 🦋🦋🦋🦋

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

So nice of you, thanks

[@sarapulford5957]

🇬🇧 Hmmmm. Small potatoes boiled and smothered with butter. Simple and scrummy !

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Yes!

[@johnndavis7647]

I am trying something similar. I am setting buckets in the pond and packing mulch around the buckets. I drilled four 3/4" holes about two inches up around the bottom of the pond so it holds some water but not too much. The center bucket will have six small holes drilled around the bottom of the bucket. The center bucket will be for watering. Normally It will have a lid on it to keep out mosquitoes. I can look inside the center bucket to see how much water is available to the buckets. I can put in four buckets for big plants or up to six buckets for small plants. From time to time I expect to have to clean out the pond and change Out the mulch if I get fungus gnats or any nasty anaerobic conditions. It's an interesting experiment. They don't sell mosquito fish where I live but a goldfish might do just as well and they are cheap. I planted my first potatoes 10 days ago and I already have sprouts. If the mulch idea doesn't work out I could put in bricks and water and stick rags in the bottom of the pots and let them wick the water up into the buckets I like the idea of being able to easily move the buckets around and the possibility of having fewer pests To deal with

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

A little late, but thank you. The soil in the bucket under the waterline also gets anaerobic. That's another reason I remove them before harvesting. I continue to water for a week or so then allow it to dry out. Lifting them on bricks is a good idea.

[@Dee.C]

Thank you for some awesome information Gary . I love your gardens .

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thank you.

[@TheCrazeenana]

Wow Gary your garden looks great and loved seeing the whole thing. You guys have inspired so many of us gardener’s. I’m now on my 2nd tub set up, bought irrigation tube, and rebar that Robbie always talks about. Even have some net cover that ripped so I’m using it like tulle😁 love your guys video

[@nancytabor8302]

Love seeing Gary!!

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thank you.

[@sherry4004]

Thank you. The first time I planted potatoes, my father dug them up. They were small and green. The second was after my father passed. They died from too much water in red dirt. I didn't try a third time yet. The sweet potatoes just grow, but when I find them, their shape is odd from the rocks in the same red dirt. Sometimes I find that the slugs have eaten parts of the sweet potato. I was thinking of using a kiddie pool. Will try again later.

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thanks Sherry.

[@valoriegriego5212]

Gray, that's a cool system for easily growing potatoes.👍

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

I think so too! Thanks

[@susanjordan2130]

Excellent video. Thanks Gary.

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thanks 👍 glad you enjoyed it.

[@evlynealeshire5850]

Small new potatoes are delicious!

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Yes they are!

[@jujube2407]

I need more Gary videos! Love hearing about his techniques

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Working on it!

[@nicolerince]

Very informative. In N Cal we have had almost no rain and to maintain my veg. and flower garden is a challenge Nicole from Menlo Park CA

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thank you, your welcome.

[@fishergordon2382]

Luv ur garden and the video's.

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thank you.

[@sjr7822]

Looking Good, Gary~ 0:46

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thanks.

[@annamarieh333]

Very interesting!

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thank you.

[@hootiebubbabuddhabelly]

Interesting, useful and awesome! Thanks!

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thank you, your welcome.

[@sharonromero128]

So glad you did this video about growing potatoes in a bucket. I would like to try that, too. Your step by step explanations. & directions are very helpful. It has been many years since I have grown them. My parents grew potatoes starting in the ground then surrounded the entire patch with high fencing then filled it with straw just to cover the potato plants and as the plants grew through the straw they added more straw. They had an abundant harvest of clean healthy potatoes without ever thinking about digging. Great video, Gary. Thanks so much.

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thank you, your welcome.

[@TheWordofGodGardenMore]

Thanks for sharing, God’s Blessings always. Hallelujah .

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thank you, your welcome.

[@annfinster]

Good job! 🌸

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thanks! 😊

[@punkspeed1850]

Thanks Gary! Good to see you. Thanks for the video. I'm planting mine late, so I hope they grow and produce.

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

I hope so too!

[@vidajordan9803]

Thanks for showing people how worthwhile and easy potatoes grow in containers. Im starting the potatoes in large cottage cheese containers and when I see which ones are growing well I transfer them into buckets. This makes for not waiting for potatoes that choose not to grow and it really doesn't take much space. Love your garden...looks like Hawaii with all your bananas. I'm in 8b so growing Yukons and Pontiacs. Too cool for sweet potatoes...but I still try a few.💐

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thanks your welcome. It's good to try a couple of varieties to see what grows best in your zone.

[@earthsowingwithcynthia]

Excellent presentation very good harvest 😊

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thank you.

[@sjr7822]

We live in Maine so the short growing season, one thing Dad strived for and look forward to, but not always succeeded, was to harvest peas and early potatoes on the 4th of July for our main meal, the potatoes were like the size you are harvesting, and you are right, they tasted so good.

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thanks for sharing! Early potatoes are the best choice for short growing seasons.

[@conniebryant6898]

Thanks for sharing your potato growing knowledge. I haven’t had a lot of luck with potato’s, yet. I actually have one plant that has survived me, so look forward to seeing how it turns out. Have a great day!

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thanks, your welcome.

[@terrykunst3883]

Fantastic, Gary! Thank you for sharing step by step. I’m going to start more potatoes and see how I make out in PA with the wicking system.

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thanks best of luck!

[@sueg2658]

Yes, this was very a interesting and useful video. Great explanation how to grow using the kiddie pools using the wicking action. This way must also save you a lot of time and energy watering. I love the dragonfly as way to control mosquitos. Great video. Thank you Gary.

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thank you.

[@roserizzo3094]

Great information! Thank you!

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thank you.

[@maryvaliquette713]

Thank you Gary for sharing all your knowledge once again I could stand some of those fish to get rid of the mosquitoes hanging around here. I have a backyard and then a swamp! Those kiddie pools certainly come in handy!💕

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thanks, your welcome. We're far from water so the fish work out well.

[@bobbiewilson8926]

Very Nice!

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@kleineroteHex]

I love your set up with all the ponds!

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thanks you.

[@iri3977]

Gidday Gary...Great to see your garden - yep, love the wicking system...it's winter here in NZ...icy cold with lots rain!! We are Celebrating Mātāriki - the harvest...plenty of cheer. Enjoy a Blessed Bountiful Harvest 🇳🇿🥝🍐🍎🍊🍋🥦🥔🥕

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Sounds great except for the cold, Thank you. Hope you see some bright stars!

[@iri3977]

@@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy yes, we agree. Thank you Robbie & Gary...we look forward to reaching out to those stars, Be Well✨

[@evlynealeshire5850]

Gary Mick Dundee! 😉

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

You recognized the reference 😃

[@judithjeffers7666]

Good evening from Houston. Awhile ago Robbie did brief show of your ponds and I think mentioned that you have fish in the ponds that eat the mosquitoes. If so what are they called and where did you get them? Thanx

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

The fish are Gambusia or Mosquito fish. They are introduced in California but native to the South Eastern U.S. They should be easy to find in the Houston area. Many Counties have Mosquito and Vector control agencies that will supply them for free to residents.

[@truthseekerKJV]

The only thing I don't like about this method is using old stagnant water to supply the crops. It's better in many ways to supply the crop with fresh water each time they are watered.

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thanks. I would agree except this creates an environment for young Dragonflies. They feed on the lifeforms that live on the bottom.

[@chillstudio545]

So sweet efforts 👍👍

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

So nice of you

[@barbjohnson1173]

Nice video! You gave us more ideas to put in our pocket.

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@susiejones336]

I love your food forest it seems so relaxing 😁🌻

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

It really is! Thank you.

[@maydaygarden]

Nice to see you Gary. What's the difference between "seed" potatoes and regular ones from the supermarket? Do I need to get organic ones? Should I let them sprout from their eyes before planting? Love the wicking bucket.

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Seed potatoes are specifically grown, tested and certified to be disease free for planting. They don't need to do this for supermarket potatoes as they go for food. Organic ones won't be treated to prevent sprouting. Sometimes regular ones will be. I usually wait until they sprout before planting as they may rot, although if I leave some in the ground they regrow. Thanks.

[@barbarawalker3620]

👍👍👍

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thank you.

[@Veronica-nq9kr]

???? I love the pool idea because we are very hot and dry here in southeast Colorado. How do you control the pill bugs?

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

As long as they aren't present in the initial soil they cant swim in.

[@GennyLsMoodDuJour]

Hey Gary. Could you explain your "wicking" process in detail?

[@GennyLsMoodDuJour]

P.S. ~ what besides potatoes could go in the same pool? Limited space, 1 mouth to feed.

[@joanfrohlich9378]

I also need to learn this in SWFL where I'm watering constantly!

[@ChristinePerryStudio]

​@@joanfrohlich9378 I'm in NFL and just started gardening. It was getting a bit much to have to water twice a day. I did some research on self-watering container gardening. I now have 7 buckets prepared (and working on more) with a water reservoir on the bottom 5 ", which is topped off every week via a 1" pvc pipe. It works wonderful.

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Currently I have carrots, mint, ginger, bok choi, canna edulis, small taro and I'm sure I'm missing something. Basically anything that needs consistant water.

[@payrolldepartment5678]

Gary, you need a bigger shirt. LOL

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

As I age I find myself shrinking.

[@GoodTimesHomestead]

Gary!

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Yes!

[@ladytreco1518]

Thanks for the info Gary and Robbie too. Question, can I grow potatoes here in California in the summer? I had thought they were a spring crop. Thanks

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Yes, absolutely. The key is to grow early crop or short season varieties. You won't get baking size potatoes which would be your spring crop or main crop. They take longer to grow. I have more started which should be ready by August. We're in zone 10a.

[@drkakfood]

Good gardening. I like your garden. My advice use some organic fertilizer and pesticides. It is very easy to make at home

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thank you.

[@drkakfood]

@@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy You are nice man, Always welcome

[@LillyR539]

PS have you gotten any rain yet I've hoped you all have 🦋🦋🦋

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

No none so far.

[@maydaygarden]

Growing up in CA, I remember "June Gloom" cloud cover but now, it doesn't appear anymore, not even at the beach!

[@SnugglesPlays]

Sour bugs? They look like woodlice to me. We call those woodlice in the UK.

[@GennyLsMoodDuJour]

"Sow" bugs. A.K.A. Pill bugs, wood lice and a multitude of monikers from wee ones.

[@SnugglesPlays]

@@GennyLsMoodDuJour Ahh, so it is the same insect them, just called something different in America. I thought so.

[@GennyLsMoodDuJour]

Yes. Florida's Palmeto ( sp?) is a cockroach... Palm Tree Wood roach. Most bugs here have more than one name.

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Yes. They have many common names. In Australia Slater bugs.

[@lucynablacha9889]

Gery You didn’t put enough soil for potato growing

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Enough for small early crop potatoes. It would not be enough for large main crop potatoes.

[@samymuthu757]

🙏❤️🌎🌲

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thanks you.

[@sallyaltick]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼💖🙏🏼🌱🕊️

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Thanks.

[@halleyvolo5868]

What kind of fish do you have in your pools?

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

Gambusia also known as mosquito fish. Thanks.

[@vpgarden5986]

Hi Garry, nice water saving of growing potatoes in a bucket. I do have a question as to where you get your mosquito fish? Did you purchase them from the pet shop or did you get them from the city? Do you have any predators that come and eat your fish? I have a cat that come and clean out my lower ponds of all my goldfish but it seems to leave some of the guppies alone. Are your mosquitos eating fish a specific variety or are they guppies from the pet shop?

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

I got my mosquito fish or gambusia from a friend. They are native to the South eastern states. In Southern California County mosquito or vector control agencies usually provide them for free. So far I haven't had any issues with predators. Thanks.

[@bernadetteperdue8240]

Mr Gary, I’m curious sir where did you find your purple yam? I’ve been searching for one here in San Diego with no luck. Please advise. Ty

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

My original plant material came from sources in Florida. They go dormant in the winter so they start to become available around January/ Febuary. Seeds are unlikely to grow, some of the bulbils produced gnarly tubers that were harder to peel. I finally got some whole tubers that are a fairly uniform shape.

[@bernadetteperdue8240]

@@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy can I possibly buy one from you?

[@davidadausuel4537]

I must say, that although you have a interesting topic, I simply cannot get pass your voice. You speak in a strange monotone way that always make you seem like you’re asking a never ending question.

[@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy]

The language trait is known as a high-rising terminal (HRT), commonly referred to as 'Australian Question Intonation' (AQI). English Pronunciation Roadmap explains it well in this 4 minute video kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2TSYZ2wZ9SWedk