Potato Experiment - Ground Or Container - The Results Round 2

[@ahmadzaimhilmi]

This is how a man contributes to humanity, by helping others benefit from his knowledge.

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks Ahmad, I really appreciate that comment :) have a great day

[@LilChelle]

@@simplifygardening I’ve been trying to find the video on the bags you bought for potatoes I think you said from ikea? Could you link that here so I can find it please. Thank you and happy gardening!

[@MrMonkeyfarmer1]

Very well said!

[@LoriDB]

Agreed!!!! Your videos are SOOO helpful!!!

[@miniadventureswithmark3309]

😐…😂🤣😂

[@krisoluich9119]

In my rigorously scientific studies I’ve found that whichever way I grow them, it leads to a strong sense of euphoria at harvest. I may very well have a Potato-growing addiction.

[@simplifygardening]

They are a fantastic crop to grow Kris. I love growing them and am currently trying for a WR for the largest single potato

[@TripleDDDD]

Nightshades are a hellof a drug :-]

[@simplifygardening]

@@TripleDDDD lol that depends on the nightshade. The only addiction here is the addiction of better yields 😁👌

[@Boz1211111]

I would be addicted to growing potatoes if colorado potato beetle wasnt an issue as it is. They get wrecked before they even have a chance, this year i grew them but from the moment they sprouted to the moment i dig them up i had to pick beetles every other day. Not worth.. unfortunately, glad you can grow them well in UK

[@simplifygardening]

@@Boz1211111 wow Boz. Those beetles sound a menace. Doesnt growing in containers stop them? It stops our wireworm

[@jalleman61]

Love it.Ive been doing this for several years an have found that the containers give you more control with weeds,and less wasted fertilizer.Small or big garden this is worth it.

[@simplifygardening]

Great tip!

[@marthakratz7877]

I was also thinking of that as an advantage.

[@laurenandreas5950]

The container potatoes have a more vivid color too. I Loved this video!

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks, Lauren. Yes, they do I am glad you noticed that. I think it is because they are more nutrient dense, But I haven't had that tested yet. The plants are restricted so have to take on the feed where the plants in the soil are free to push roots outside the feeding zone

[@ryanfitzalan8634]

I think that some of that is cosmetic, the soil in the pots is almost no clay to it, clay drys quickly on the surface and turns to dusty brown, if you washed them off side by side, they would look more similar.

[@ashawheeler1467]

Lauren, I was thinking the same thing.

[@sillonillo9509]

I though it was the moisture level that makes it appear more vivid or less vivid. You know if you wet something it looks deeper color.

[@marthakratz7877]

@@ryanfitzalan8634 Don't forget, you are not supposed to wash them until they're cured which I guess takes a couple weeks or more.

[@noeraldinkabam]

I was moving house in that hot hot HOT 2018 summer. But I moved from an apartment in the busy center of the Netehrlands to a house with garden in the rural north. My husband planted potatoes in the ground and I planted mine a few weeks later in pots. I already know I will “win” but we both already are winners in my book. I am as happy as can be when I sit on my terrace at night, hearing sheep and frogs instead of the never stopping sound of cars.

[@simplifygardening]

How lucky you are I would love to be able to get my own parcel of land away from the town

[@PeacefulCountryLife]

Winning - 101

[@ianpym3953]

next year try growing 10 of the buckets filled with compost and 10 buckets willed with soil from the allotment see if its the pots that make the difference or if its the compost, great video.

[@simplifygardening]

ian pym Great ideas Ian. Keep me informed. I got 13 more rows to dig yet but they are not ready

[@crystalmorgan1959]

In Kentucky, we heap the soil around the potato plants as they grow. As the tops grow talller, hill the garden soil around themm. Usually do this twice. The plantcontinue growing more potatoes as the tops are buried. At harvest, you'll have about 4 feet of potatoes. If grown this way, you will get 3 or 4 times times as many potatoes in the same amount of linear feet.

[@Gantzz321]

could also do the Strawbale test, basically all the different "Bucket" types

[@fixt100]

thats how its done here also.

[@mikesavage8793]

Crystal Morgan We used to do that as well in Ireland, we called it 'earthing the potatoes'. It was usually done in narrow banks rather than hillocks though.

[@valsptsd814]

I’ve done potatoes several times over the last decade or so. My results reflect yours. I do much better in containers with compost only. One of the things I’ve done, is harvest as I need them. One year I was able to finish in December, I made potato soup. It was cold outside and they were delicious.

[@simplifygardening]

Good to know! Thanks for sharing

[@bettyamon6704]

I have a very small garden in the back of my house, so growing in pots will really help me to get more out of my garden. Thanks for the information.

[@MrSpringfellow]

Thanks, Tony I am your subscriber from Cebu, Philippines and I think my retirement could be a wonderful thing raising potatoes of which none ventured in my area.

[@simplifygardening]

awesome great to have you here Sorry about the late reply, YT didn't let me know this comment was here and I just found it

[@onedirtyacre4729]

I completely agree with your results! My neighbor came over recently to tell me that he had gotten an average of 4 pounds of potatoes from each row in his garden (8 to 10 foot long rows). And I smiled at him and though to myself, "I got 3 pounds from just one 10 gallon bucket!" :)

[@simplifygardening]

Yeah, I hear the same story all over. What varieties are you growing in Zone 5?

[@onedirtyacre4729]

Norland Red & Yukon Gold

[@onedirtyacre4729]

No... he got 4 lbs! :)

[@AlexBabcock-hw9iz]

@CabinDoor Believe she said his yield was 4 pounds from a 8 to 10 foot row. She got 3 pounds from one small container.

[@joshuachristian3102]

From the middle of the US here. I grow in old truck tires. I find this to be a good method because they are stackable and I can usually get 3 or 4 high in a season. I know a lot of people worry about the chemicals from the truck tires but they're not any more dangerous than any plastic container. I've found that letting the plants get about 2 feet above the rim of the tire, you can add another tire and fill it with compost mix. I do a 50/50 compost/ peat mix. In a single stack of tires, I typically get around 75-100 lbs of red potatoes. Golden varieties a little less and russets about the same as golden. Anyway, that's how I grow. Your video was great to watch! Thanks and good day!

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks for viewing and commenting joshua your system sounds very interesting. Ive never used tyres myself. How long have you been doing that?

[@joshuachristian3102]

About 5 years total. I've tried different types of platters every once in a while but never had near the success.

[@simplifygardening]

Joshua Christian 5 years? You must have that perfected now then huh?

[@joshuachristian3102]

Somewhat. Consistent at least. Lol.

[@simplifygardening]

Consistent is always good Joshua, at least you know exactly what to expect and can work from there

[@seektruth581]

The soil in the containers looks much darker, rich and moist. The soil from the ground looks sandy and dry.

[@simplifygardening]

Yes because the soil in containers is compost not soil

[@joe4324]

I thought the point was to test the different growing conditions not mediums? Its apples to oranges again.

[@simplifygardening]

@@joe4324 the point was ground or container. It was to show they can be grown in containers esp if your ground is poor

[@simplifygardening]

@@mate88mate888 this experiment shows which is best. It is to show ppl with poor soils they dont have to grow in the ground. If you have a container you get to choose the medium. Why would you use something that would give poor results

[@Buburuzacureactie]

You can also enrish the soil with manure and plant the potatoes sparsely(45 cm between rows and 40 cm between potato). Worked wonders this year for my purple potatoes. I've only had 2 rows and still a bettwer harvest than the larger patch I planted next to them where the potatoes were planted more closely together. They seem to like their space. :D

[@SkashTheKitsune]

when I started watching this I was thinking "well, hope he weighs it" which you did all the comparisons correctly. In the end, I will be buying bags of compost and potting mix and containers for my garden

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks, Happy fox. This is the second year I have run this and the results are pretty similar, let me know how you get on next year :)

[@mikedraper5260]

Nice Job Tony .40 years ago. My mother inlaw gave me 20 little plant pots with seed eyes growing in them . I told her that you needed more of the spud to get a decent production . I planted in vergin farm soil . Plowed the fall before . Her 20 plants in the ground my 20 medium potatoes . Same watering hilling care . In the end the production was equal . Also we had at least 20 spuds that were over 2lbs each .With no hollow centres . I fed 18 firefighters french fries from 2 of them . Been a potatoe fan ever since . Just lately have been using plastic pots ,I also extend the pots with 5 gallon buckets that have no bottoms. I also grow peppers and cucumbers in the same pots .We also have 100 litre composers that I fill with a bunch of plants . Love your energy.

[@mrs.dirtdauber5384]

We grow in raised beds. I dig an 8” deep hole and cover my seed pieces with 2-3” of soil. When my plants are 3-4” taller than the top of the hole, I fill the hole in with pure compost. I usually plant around 20 seed pieces. Last year we harvested a little over 100 lbs.

[@simplifygardening]

Very nice! Raised beds are great for potatoes too, I cover a lot of that in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/npitkmWtp71poqM

[@lolawalsh9187]

Do you water?

[@joffa5555]

Mate great video. Really opens the eyes to what’s possible with other types of root stocks like garlic. Tumeric and even for big profit asian roots like ginseng. Thanks for the hard work in doing all this twice over. Great job

[@simplifygardening]

Hi. Thanks for your comment. Yes it really opens the door to new possibilities

[@JebGardener]

Next year you will have to try hydroponic potatoes vs containers. Trash cans can have enough water to bring them harvest.

[@simplifygardening]

Hey Jeb, Yeah that might be worth looking at. Love your videos by the way and you run some very interesting experiments yourself. love the style you present them too :)

[@brooksanderson2599]

I'm just wondering if hydroponic potatoes have near the nutrients and trace elements of plants grown in natural soil with compost to increase the amount of organic matter. I don´t believe that hydroponics can match the complex compounds that soil microbiota and plants produce evolving together over millions of years.

[@johnnewbold4622]

@@brooksanderson2599 Totally agree Brooks. Hydroponics may be usefull after a nuclear war with lots of low level fallout coverting the earth but until then I will keep my potatoes soil based (though I am going to try the containers because of Tony's experiment success). BTW, the nukes may fly as early as 2023 or as late as 2039. Not long to go.

[@mbburry4759]

@@brooksanderson2599 if you added some micronutrient blend why would the plant act any different? Doubt labor and cost wise it makes much sense to grow hydroponic potatoes besides being a cool expirement.

[@brooksanderson2599]

@@mbburry4759 True. Hydroponic tomatoes are actually being grown. However, biological compounds are pretty complex. When the SHTF hydroponic chemicals my be a bit hard to come by.

[@dianerogers8020]

In the US this year I tried grow bags. I'll watch more of your videos to see if you've tried them, I'm not a fan, they dry out very fast acting as huge wick to remove moisture. Anyway, LOVE your videos, and accent :) Americans still love UK gardening in all forms keep the videos coming UK!

[@simplifygardening]

Hi Diane. Thanks appreciate it. Growbags are very hard to stay moist there is too much surface area for the volume of soil

[@dianerogers8020]

Ah thanks! I'm in the midwest but that's what Amazon is for :) Thanks for the info. I imagine it would add valuable nutrients too.

[@dianerogers8020]

ahahah thanks but I can imagine the smell it would have by time it would get here. :D

[@kimberlynolin2100]

I have grow bags I haven't used yet. Thinking I might line with some plastic to keep from drying out.

[@roninemdub7403]

@@kimberlynolin2100 make sure they are still able to drain to some extent. Potatoes like moisture but not standing moisture. I use grow bags and they are great for root aeration but they do need more watering and attention some times.

[@christopherbellore4072]

Hey Tony O'Neill. Chris here, from Staten Island N.Y. USA. I have been living above an Old Restaurant for 3 years. Fortunately I've had a thriving rooftop garden every year. My wife wanted to try growing potatoes in a container for the first time this past summer. And WOW were we surprised at the wonderful results we had the first time ever growing potatoes in containers. Really great video buddy. This is the first time I've watched one of your videos. Big👍. Thank you.

[@simplifygardening]

Hey Christopher. That is fantastic news that you folks had great spuds with your attempt at growing in containers. It is such a brilliant way to grow them. I hope you will stick with us and consider subscribing. Got loads of videos not only on potatoes but other crops in containers

[@christopherbellore4072]

Hello again Tony from UK here we grow. I was very surprised and delighted to here from you. Thanks for your response, and encouragement. We grow mostly tomatoes, and cucumbers, and basil. Also a few varieties of peppers. Like I said, it was the first time potatoes were part of our garden. And boy was I immediately hooked. It really was so easy, and a real pleasure to have a leafy green plant adding life to the atmosphere of a barren roof. And the potatoes were delicious! You've got a fan and a friend in New York City. I subscribed as requested. I'm looking forward to viewing your expert videos. Cheers.

[@simplifygardening]

Hi Christopher, Why were you surprised to hear from me? Always nice to have new friends from the USA :)

[@christopherbellore4072]

UK Here We Grow. Indeed you do Tony. Keep up the good work. Watching you is a pleasure. I'm 51 and I worked hard my whole life, drove trucks 33 years, and party-ed way too hard for too long. My back is wrecked 17 discs disrupted and some deteriorating. Needless to say my party days are over, but I would have a pint with a mate from UK. Like I said, watching you is a pleasure, but my back hurts just from watching! Be well brother.

[@simplifygardening]

Oh Wow, I know how much pain I was in when I ruptured 2 disks. Look after yourself with that Back Christopher. Yes same here would be brill to have a pint. Lots to come I hope I dont tire you out watching me work :)

[@cynthiamoon372]

The container harvesting looks like more fun.

[@mitche499]

Hi Tony, I have grown my potatoes in containers for years, much easier for me and I get better yields. Good job on your potatoes, thats a great harvest.

[@simplifygardening]

Hi Jean. Just 13 more rows to pull. Containers are so much easier to pull and sow, What size containers do you use?

[@simplifygardening]

Seaweed that should be great for adding flavour. have you grown that way before? how did they taste?

[@simplifygardening]

Yeah when the rain washes it it gets rid of the excess salts. Brilliant I may just do a video with seaweed next year I think, Thanks for the idea.

[@simplifygardening]

Yeah have tasted the wild shore kales very bitter compared to cultivated types though

[@simplifygardening]

Yeah you could be right there pal. I love Kale the misses and kids find it too strong though

[@jmch2186]

Great experiment. 3rd time lucky 2019? I grow mine in flower water buckets, homemade compost. Watered sparingly this year but fed twice using seaweed organic feed. Loads of gorgeous spuds. I will be doing it again next year too. Great way to grow all kinds of veg 👍🏻🥔💚🇮🇪

[@simplifygardening]

J McHugh Totally agree with you. So eady to harvest too

[@californianorma876]

J, do you rinse the seaweed at all? Any thoughts as to how much seaweed per 10 gal bucket, a few pieces, a handful? I have added pieces of seaweed to my compost but never thought of just sticking it in the soil. Thank you! Tak! I live across the bay from San Francisco ❤️

[@simplifygardening]

@@californianorma876 norma in the uk you can buy seaweed in a concentrate for feeding. Some make their own out of seaweed from the beech by washing it then steeping it in water until it breaks down like you woukd compost tea

[@simplifygardening]

Totally agree J fab way to grow. Seaweed is a great feed too

[@xiloeteknowledgiesllc1973]

I think containers work better simply because of the depth of non-compacted soil. Different areas have varying topsoil depths and conditions. If the rows are tilled to the depth of the bucket volume, would the ground rows yeild more potatoes?

[@simplifygardening]

Hey thats a valid point. It was one of the factors the potatoes rows were originally double dug to the same depth and also tilled. The seed was also planted the same depth to remove this fact. Its so interesting isnt it?

[@stormysampson1257]

@@simplifygardening I recently learned after half a century of growing potatoes!! that the 'mother' potato is always going to be BELOW the baby potatoes. This fact alone makes container and vertical growing of potatoes much more plausible and successful. Potatoes should never be planted in the same soil other potatoes were grown in, or tomatoes, or peppers or egg plant. Solanaceae. Curcubits and Brassicas are the same for the need to rotate (2 years minimum). I always compact my raised beds (without lumber or tires or cinder blocks to support) using a big piece of heavy plywood and doing the Rain Dance on top of that board. This doesn't reduce the tilth nor the air in the soil but it gets rid of huge air holes that can cause problems. Compacts the 3' high soil after double digging. I also trench little trenches (6" X 10" wide) at the base of these beds (3 to 6' wide) to promote better drainage. I look like an idiot on that plywood but I never have to do anymore double digging (I don't do tilling with a tiller, mainly because I've always had so much clay) even with my 'volcanic pumice' soil of our lodgepole pine/bitter brush plant association just used a shovel for 2000 sq. ft. of garden under a greenhouse skin. We have freezes every month of the growing season.

[@DovidM]

The roots of the potatoes that I grow don’t go to the bottom of the containers. I am guessing that digging past this zone in open ground would not benefit the potatoes planted there.

[@themisstra7708]

I love container planting it allows for the potatoes to get all the nutrients so they are brighter and heavier all the moisture is retained within the bucket. The potato placed in the ground absorbs all the nutrients you put into it. So it soaks up and spreads leaving the ground nourished but the spuds don’t retain all of that. Good job another job! Blessed!

[@simplifygardening]

Couldnt say it better myself

[@rosewood513]

I agree with you 100% Growing. For me growing in the ground is too tiring. Our weather was a killer also and my potatoes suffered and I have not grown them much. Thank you for the videos they helped me a lot.

[@simplifygardening]

Its hard work for sure. check out todays video on potatoes I think you will enjoy it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmLVl2R8jdl8b9U

[@christinecoupland4577]

Hi Tony, i am new this year and watched your vids from last year, i planted some potatoes in the ground and some in pots.(sarpo mira)Well i have to say i have dug a couple of potatoes up beginning of week and was pleased with results this morning i have emptied one of my pots my husband couldnt believe what came out of the pots plus they are huge, so its pots for me, and i would like to add after all the inspiration from watching vids my first year in my back garden and i have just had sunday lunch, take away the meat and gravy and everything else,( 6 different veg) came from my garden and it was fantastic, pudding was blackberry and apple pie foraged from the hedgerow, so all in all, Thank you and carry on with the advice it can be scaled down to fit into a back yard, even pots on a balcony, everyone can have fresh fruit and veg at a fraction of the cost, and healthier too, Chris

[@simplifygardening]

Hi Christine. Oh, I am so glad you had great crops. Containers really do make it easy, not that the ground is bad, but you don't suffer from pest issues and harvesting is easier. So good when you can put a load of high-quality great tasting food on the table. The immense gratification I get knowing that is something I have done just can't be put into words. Thank you so much for your comment chatting to my subscribers really does mean the world to me. So glad you found some inspiration on my channel to try it yourself :)

[@boocat8768]

@@simplifygardening Hello Tony , I'm brand new to growing , I only have a small back yard , so what to grow ? And when ? Could you help please . Also what compost and do I add anything to the compost ? I'm really appreciative for any advice . Thankyou , many regards .Just want to add , I've saved the old peeling off pots and they're the crop I want most . They're in a dry dark cupboard and getting dry but sprouting as well . They are Maris piper and king eddies .

[@vincentneale2620]

I have tried both methods and I found it far better to grow spuds in the ground It all depends how you plant them. The ones in the ground was grown in trenches in which I put a spade of compost at each station also I put a little blood fish and bone with the compost. I emptied the buckets and on a average got 2 kilos of spuds per bucket making a total of 2 cwt in weight, the ones planted in the ground for the same number of tubers produced 3 1/2 cwt. the compost in the buckets was Verve from B&Q. I think a lot depends on the soil you have My soil in loam which has been spread with compost every year ( I make about 4 ton of compost every year. Another thing is I don't put wood chips on my plot I have done that in the past and pound it a big non no Instead I use wood chips layered in my compost bin so it gets really rotted down before spreading on my soil.

[@simplifygardening]

I agree Vincent you shouldnt dig woodchip into your soil, It will rob it of nitrogen, however placing it on the surface doesnt remove it from the layers that the roots are in so no issue, I mainly use it in walking paths and scrape it up at the end of the year and slam it in the compost. Like you I layer woodchips into the compost as a carbon source. What variety of potatoes do you grow?

[@R3dp055um]

Pardon the silly question, but what is "cwt"? Is that perhaps hundredweight?

[@vincentneale2620]

Yes its a hundredweight or 112 lbs or 50.9 kilos

[@dreddykrugernew]

k johnson where is this desert forest garden how about a vid eh...

[@Here_Today_]

@@dreddykrugernew search food forest in the desert; plenty come up.

[@Colinking2127]

I get a lot of pest damage on my ground grown potatoes so will always grow in containers.

[@simplifygardening]

Slugs and ell worm? Lots of people having same issues

[@stormysampson1257]

What pests, do you know for sure? Eating leaves or tubers? Containers make your garden real estate much much larger! ALWAYS use sterilized potting soil in any pot. Hard and fast rule.

[@hotties3v3n]

I hate worms and bugs 😣 so by default i choose bucket or containers!!!😂

[@Jtuesday51]

First time in containers this year first earlies as previous crops in the ground have been ruined by wire worm, eel worm plus slug damage. Had a dig down with my hand today, lovely clean tubers plus tops lush green and really healthy, so this is the way forward plus no need to earth up. Have experimented with 2, 3 and 4 per container, be interesting to see the results in a weeks time as they are in flower now. Thanks for the video.

[@PrimeAesthetic]

Did you come to a result on what was better per container? 2, 3 or 4 seed starters?

[@yamamancha]

Excellent video! Richer color, 70% more yield, and less labor (back fatigue) planting and harvesting. You've inspired me to try this at home!

[@simplifygardening]

That's excellent. You won't be disappointed yamamancha. let me know how it goes next year when you grow them

[@jasongreen5159]

Hey man, here in south Texas it gets really hot. And with the ground as dry as it is, it's only feasible to grow in a raised bed or container. It's a no brainer here.

[@simplifygardening]

Yes it was hard here this year too Jason and possibly a sign of things to come. What variety do you grow

[@jasongreen5159]

I grow russets reds and golds. I may plant this fall or just grow radish. It's the same with radish too I think. The yields are higher in containers. But sweet potatoes seem to do better here in ground.

[@2Bridges]

When I lived in Copperas Cove Texas my neighbor grew her potatoes in the winter

[@lindakean7392]

Could you use the same container soil yearly as long as you amend it with compost and peat? Also wondering why the container potatos are darker red? Are they a diff variety or more nutritious from the container soil?

[@ShootingOutside]

Yes, but only if you add a minimum ratio of 50/50 because remember the composted soil you have ready by spring will only las t 6-8 weeks. What I do is add some organic bone meal and manure which I get from a horse farm. I won't use chicken manure unless its from a home grower because of who knows what's in the commercial growers manure

[@lottie2525]

Great timing finding your fantastic, informative videos on growing in containers. Just starting out my container growing journey during the coronavirus pandemic.

[@simplifygardening]

Excellent. It allows anyone to grow whether you have a garden bed or a patio

[@CaroleHaddon]

Me too!! I'm wanting to grow potatoes and carrots. Wondering if a wood planter box from pallets would work

[@GardenerScott]

I'm convinced. I'll be growing in containers next year. Good video. Thanks.

[@simplifygardening]

You should. Check out my latest 2 videos on potatoes Scott. Sorry for the late reply. A load of comments said they were responded to even though they were not. I am slowly working through them all.

[@scottyg4605]

The pots getting warmer is definitely what boosts the crops. Another great video and it doesn't matter wether you grow them in dirt in a bucket or dirt in the ground doesn't matter, it's the one that produces the greatest yeald of crop that is important 👏👏

[@simplifygardening]

Totally agree Scotty. In fact there is a video on the way about soil for growing them but wont be here until harvest time

[@shannonstephens4245]

You have convinced me tony im growin in containers this year and I subscribed!!!!

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks for your support Shannon. I really appreciate it. Let me know how you get on :)

[@Zeemike1]

I think the compost plays a bigger role than you think...to prove me wrong next time plant the spuds in the ground in a half a bucket of compost and use garden soil in the containers. I will bet you see the opposite results.

[@simplifygardening]

I might just try That Mike

[@Ourarbiter]

The compost may only feed for six weeks, but the loose soil texture and water retention from all the organic material in the compost pays dividends all the time.

[@VickiTakacs.]

@@simplifygardening I saw a guy who always plants in buckets, go to the beach and get free seaweed. He used that in his buckets and his crop of potatoes was enormous and this guy had always used manure, compost, bone and blood meal too.

[@tomhickman1006]

@@VickiTakacs. That would have all of the known trace minerials in it, Good idea.

[@VickiTakacs.]

@@tomhickman1006 If I wasn't smack dab in the middle of the country I would get seaweed, lol. I did the next best thing and got Neptune's Harvest. I got compost from the town's recycling center but they added only brown, no green, so it has 0 nitrogen in it. I have Azomite and worm castings but am growing with that compost as I have to and the fish emulsion might not do it.

[@TheNomadBushCrapperIndianChief]

*”I’m not going to weigh them... oh f••k it... I’m going to get the scales”..!* 😆🤣😂

[@miltonwelch8619]

Good experiment; I'm impressed and informed!

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks Milton glad it was of interest to you

[@bunnak480]

That's very nice of you to share with us. I will grow it in my garden next year. God bless you and succeed .👍👍💪💪

[@simplifygardening]

Thats great Bunna. Hope you do well with it

[@markw3598]

Just the difference in how hard you had to work to harvest either one is enough to convince me to go for containers!!

[@simplifygardening]

Yeah Mark the containers are so easy

[@papadoudou8090]

I totally agree. Ground work looks a lot harder

[@markdonnelly1913]

No chance of an errant fork tine spearing a spud with the pots either!

[@jeromebarry1739]

Was the area of growing space roughly the same for both methods? It might be of value to compare kg/sq. m for both methods.

[@simplifygardening]

Yes Jerome it was as close as possible.

[@monahf]

This is an interesting experiment: 1.6x more in containers than ground. Good job

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks Monah. Its all about great quality and high yields for less effort. Do you grow potatoes?

[@monahf]

My pleasure. Well in France I do grow some in ground. So thanks to you I will try the buckets. This video was so informative. Thank you.

[@simplifygardening]

@@monahf yes i have grown loads in the ground too this year. Only because i was asked to make a video on it though from a subscriber.

[@michaelwalsh9881]

I grow mine in raised garden beds in northern Australia, the tropics and only get small yields but trying a container now so will be able to say in a few months

[@simplifygardening]

Northern so queensland area? if consider digging a very shallow trench around 1/3rd the depth of the container and sit the containers in there and back fill around the container, you will get all the benefits but it will stop them over heating remember to mulch them out there too

[@garyz2043]

I had great results growing potatoes in 30l containers last year. I buried mine slightly in ground, then when harvested put spent compost in hole and planted garlic. Garlic now harvested and fantastic. Spot on. Win win. I am doing the same this year and hoping for even better results. Gardening is forever rewarding.

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks for sharing how did they do Gary Sorry for the late reply

[@garyz2043]

They were great! of course that was last year. I'm growing garlic again this year in the space my potatoes have come out. Happy days . I'm eating like a king.!

[@barryroberts6470]

Great video Tony. I don't have a plot or garden just a flagged back garden, so i grow all my fruit and veg in containers the same as you have. This year i did an experiment with Charlotte spuds and how i planted them in the container, i filled up the bottom of a container with about 6 inches of Compost and placed 2 Charlotte spuds at 12 and 6 on a clock face, i filled up some more Compost and put another 2 spuds this time at 3 and 9 on a clock face, then filled it up to within 2 inches of the top of the Container. It was ordinary Compost from the Garden Center mixed with Blood, Fish and Bone and Perlite, last week i tipped out the Container and got some nice little and some medium size spuds, bearing in mind that Charlotte are a Salad spud, in total i got over 4lb in weight, which i thought was good for an experiment. I have got 2 more Containers with Maris Piper and Cera in and planted the same way, so see if my 4lb can be beat, i have never grown spuds before so i am well happy, and they tasted brillo as well. By the way what were those spuds called that you did in this video? Barry (Wirral, ENG)

[@simplifygardening]

Barry Roberts exactly how i do ot for charlotte if you look back in the videos a few weeks you will see my charlotte first early video. Had just over 7 pound from one bucket

[@simplifygardening]

I make a seaweed feed from mine and they love the seaweed

[@barryroberts6470]

Stephen Armitage - Thanks for the That.

[@barryroberts6470]

No-Dig Garden Denmark - Thanks for the tip, i don't live to far from the shore but i'll have to get my wife to collect some for me, as i have mobility issues. Thanks Again.

[@simplifygardening]

Its over an hours drive for me to the nearest beach, but every now and then I will go and get a full truck load and bring it back to the garden

[@derekmoore7401]

Great video. The editing makes it really easy to watch. Thanks! #subscribed

[@simplifygardening]

Cheers, Derek. Thanks for the great comment. Welcome to the channel and thanks for the sub. Hope to get to chat with you more over the coming months

[@janpenland3686]

I am really glad you have such success with containers but I live in the deep south USA and it gets way too hot early in the season for me to successfully grow potatoes in containers. They bake before they reach maturity. I have tried several different planting times heavy mulching around and on the container, planting early, late, and overwintering the seed potatoes. All to no avail. It makes me sad because I love container gardening. I do still plant in them just not potatoes. Runner beans and peppers do really well for me in them as do some varieties of tomatoes. Sweet corn does well but not field corn. I might try summer squash next year.

[@simplifygardening]

Hi Jan have you tried to half burry the container i have sunk them in previous years to great affect and know of ppl in the usa and ozz who have good results doing that

[@janpenland3686]

Hi UK Here we Grow.Yes I've tried that method too. On top of being in the deep south I have my own micro climate. In my garden area the average summer temp is always over 100` F and the humidity is around 55 - 60%. I can't tell you exact numbers because I refuse to go out there in the heat of the day. I do know that I have a heat index of 117 - 123` F in the shade on the cool side of the house. That's where my weather station is and I briefly go out to check it. I am considering sweet potatoes in containers with a cage trellis to see how that works. Have you ever tried doing that?

[@simplifygardening]

HI, Jan. Yes, I have grown sweet potatoes most years, I lost the slips this year though due to something getting into my tunnel and chewing the tops off them. In the UK we have to grow them in the tunnel or greenhouse due to our summers normally being quite cool. With your temps, I am sure you would get an awesome crop of sweet potatoes as they love the heat and sun. How do you plant yours there?

[@janpenland3686]

Hi Tony. Yes I do get awesome sweet potatoes. I start my slips in a cold frame burying the potatoes about 4 - 6 inches deep in late Feb. or early March. I plant them in the garden in May to June...depending on the variety and the weather. In the garden I plant in full sun to partial shade. I have 18 in. deep hilled rows for them. I plant them 15 - 18 in. apart and about 8 - 12 in deep. I don't amend my soil for them other than some compost when I make the hills and I only add enough water to set the soil when they are planted. I weed them until they are well established and try to keep the vines contained to the hills as long as I can. I don't prune the plants, just wrap them around the hill until they outgrow it then I let them run where ever they will. I let them grow as long as possible, until the leaves start to die or right before the first frost. The short season varieties benefit greatly from this extended growth period. I didn't plant last year due to health issues so I had to start over from scratch this year which might be a good thing. I usually grow a 90 day variety (Beauregard) but since I had no potatoes for slips I had to buy my slips. I ended up with 3 varieties; Beauregard (90 day), Puerto Rican Red (125 day) and an unknown variety from the market (probably Georgia Jet (90 - 100 days) from the size and shape of the original ones); total 36 plants. As rainy as this year has been I'm not sure how the yield will be. I'm hoping for 75 lbs (US) but it will probably be closer to 50. Next year I hope to try 2 or 3 new varieties: a white Nancy Hall (110 days), Vardaman (90 days), and a purple variety if I can find one at the market. All the rain this year is why I want to try them in containers. Sweet potatoes do not like to be wet so I'm looking for an alternative method of growing them...especially with this weird, changing weather pattern we are experiencing lately.

[@simplifygardening]

Hi Jan. I am unsure of what space you have but have you thought about a cut down version of an IBC container, like the ones I use to store water? I have seen a lot of folks grow real great crops in those. Could be an option for you

[@pathyland3670]

I grew potatoes in a raised bed last year but am using a tarp bucket this year. So far the bucket is much better!!! Thanks for sharing your great knowledge on gardening.

[@simplifygardening]

That is awesome Pat. hope you have a great harvest

[@robinbyrd410]

Very helpful thank you ....I just got the bags with the little Velcro window that opens up for harvest ...my grandson loves carrots so will try carrots and potatos

[@simplifygardening]

That is great Robin. He will love digging the spuds and carrots out of those

[@nsphilip]

Great yields, man! Container growing of potatoes depends mightily on the variety you choose. I recently learned that indeterminate varieties can set tubers at numerous levels, compared to a single crop from determinate varieties. One is long season and one is short-season, respectively. I am going to plant multiple determinate varieties every couple weeks for 6 weeks to get multiple crops this year

[@simplifygardening]

I grow all my potatoes in these containers and get fantastic results regardless. Years and years of testing has shown this method wins everytime FOR ME.

[@jessicahellar323]

He shows how to grow both determinate and indeterminate in containers. With determinant he grows on two levels.

[@freespirit2194]

Just a tip: Do not let the wood chips mix in with the soil it will rob nitrogen. They must always stay on top. Great experiment I enjoyed it and will sub :)

[@simplifygardening]

Hi, Free Spirit. Thanks for the sub. Welcome to the channel. I hope to get to chat with you more in the comments of my videos. You make an excellent point, last thing anyone should do is dig the woodchips in. Thanks for pointing it out to the community 😁👌

[@simplifygardening]

Will be trying it next year as a few folks have asked me to test it

[@michaelreeve.idonotconsent295]

@@simplifygardening Hi from Downunder I grow potatoes in tyres have done for years, but my plants did not like wood chip if up to the stems seemed to encourage rot ,had to use dry grass but I live in the subtropics, may have something to do with that. Always experimenting, but great fun

[@rachaelshomemade]

Another great experiment Tony and fantastic yields too!! I only started to grow veg after coming across one of your potato videos accidentally in March this year. I’ve yet to harvest a fully done container as curiosity has gotten the best of me with my first few containers & I emptied them too early lol keep up the great videos. All the best, Rachael

[@simplifygardening]

My Homemade Life head for min 90 DAYS First early 100 days second early 120 days main crop. Glad i inspired you to grow 😁👌

[@rachaelshomemade]

UK Here We Grow thank you for the tip on how long to leave them! I’m going to “try” to leave them until the Haulms have died off completely to give them chance to grow to their max potential... we will see if I have the will power! It’s just so exciting.. yes you definitely inspired me & now my garden is full of container veg, my husband thinks I’ve gone round the twist haha

[@simplifygardening]

Wait until he tastes them, he will be helping you next year, you know there is nothing better than being able to pull your own veg out of storage all winter long when you want it, knowing its packed with vitamins minerals and more importantly TASTE.

[@blueponyfarm1962]

My Homemade Life, my spouse thinks I'm a bit cracked too, but he sure loves the harvest! 🌱🐝

[@simplifygardening]

stephen armitage what you mean Stephen

[@jameskiddle7221]

Hi tony I use old car tries and stack them as the new shoots come up the same as earthing up they came out great this year so I will be doing it again next year thanks James

[@simplifygardening]

Hi James, Thats also a great way to grow. Where do you live? You may be able to help me with something

[@fancythat5136]

Great video! I also got a huge harvest from a 3 ft round plastic baby pool. Your can keep hilling them pretty high. Just make some slits for drainage.

[@simplifygardening]

That is awesome!

[@SeanInAlaska]

Great video! Fantastic results! I am growing them in tires this year here in Alaska, it will be interesting to see what I get :)

[@agodlyhome]

I have an abundance of tires on hand and I was wondering if you had any luck using them for potatoes?

[@SeanInAlaska]

@@agodlyhome I got potatoes, but last year I grew in a raised bed and got a great deal more.

[@agodlyhome]

@@SeanInAlaska thanks for the update

[@bobrees4363]

I'm curious as to why you dug the potatoes when the vines are still green? To me that means the tubers are still growing, When I was a kid we always waited until the vines died to dig our yearly supply of spuds.

[@simplifygardening]

Hi Bob you are correct, however when filming a video like this I have to do it when I have the time, and although still green they had started to go over

[@sgtUSA2012]

Just a thought, next year do the experiment with the same compaction level of soil. It appears as if the potatoes grown in the ground are being compacted more than the ones in the pots. Not saying you would get more yeild one way or the other, but you do need a base line. Everything should be tested as the same. Same compaction, same moisture, same ph, same mulch, same fertilizer, and etc. then you can get true results. But in the end, what does it matter?

[@minutemark]

I think you're missing the point. It is only in the containers that you can guarantee some of those variables. For example, you can give both plants (container and ground) the same amount of water, but you can't make the ground retain the same amount of moisture as the container. You can try to establish an even starting situation, but you can't maintain it through the growing season.

[@simplifygardening]

This is where i differ in opinion, the whole idea of growing in a container is you get to choose the medium for better results. There are a lot of folk who have very poor soil and growing this way is the answer for them.

[@simplifygardening]

Yes agree with you here, they are both great ways to grow but the containers win for a multiple of reasons and the fact you get to choose what you put in it is the whole point behind the video

[@alexkanehbosm4082]

@@simplifygardening - my (silly) question is.. does the density of the medium affect the density of the potato at harvest ?

[@wildtimbrown]

Are you going to pay him for his time to do the experiment exactly how YOU want it to be done?

[@johnluquer]

I’m convinced. I’m going to do containers. Yield plus ease of harvest is enough for me.

[@britishcook5468]

I've always wondered if you get more in containers.But often thought maybe it was because they seemed more condensed in a pot. Thanks for taking the time to test this.

[@simplifygardening]

No worries, We have run this same experiment now for 2 years with similar results

[@britishcook5468]

@@simplifygardening Awesome

[@simplifygardening]

Anytime. Thanks

[@guyfriedman295]

Aren't containers supposed to be better just by keeping rodents out?

[@MsSomeonenew]

If you specifically have rodent problems.

[@simplifygardening]

They also keep out slugs and wireworm, it is very rare there is any damage to tubers, Also you dont stab them with a fork or spade when harvesting too

[@amarketing8749]

@@simplifygardening How do they keep out slugs if you have drainage holes.

[@judyhowell7075]

Place mine off the ground with hardware cloth in bottom where holes are

[@rodneydlamini7364]

Really the containers win again,thanks for showing us the results of your experiment

[@Rozzie...Brisbane...Australia]

I grow all my food in containers, I like that I can give that particular plant exactly what it needs, also I companion plant with herbs and flowers. My potatoe's at present are in deep styrofoam boxes to see what yeild I get compared to my sweet potatoe in big barrel's...Rozz....Brisbane...Qld..Australia

[@simplifygardening]

Roslyn let me know how the styrofoam does that sounds interesting

[@lizitikitiffy]

Looks like the bucket wins. Even the color of the potatoes are different. Since it’s in a container, it saved lots of space and yet provided better results

[@redwood1957]

nice thank you so can we say the heat was not an issue, what type spuds were they? I say do a 3rd year because 3 is a charm. Thanks again

[@simplifygardening]

Yes looks like we will do a third year. They are Sarpo Mira. I think its down to multiple reasons but heat does play a part

[@barrieallison4621]

fantastic video containers nobrainer &ur so quick at digging

[@simplifygardening]

lol Barrie

[@imalwayslast3170]

I am giving it a try for the first time this year with potatoes. I have had a lot of success with tomatoes, peas, okra, beans, peppers etc. Never tried potatoes, and I am doing them in buckets...so we will see...I hope it works!

[@simplifygardening]

Keep me informed how they do for you. Im sure you will do great

[@bethcoleman5417]

Thank you for all your hard work Tony. Thumbs up. I’m doing containers.

[@simplifygardening]

So nice of you Beth. hope you have a good crop

[@rcg5317]

Terrific test! So many excellent insights and comments in this video. You might also compare the average weight of the potatoes. Since watered both crops the same I think the moisture retention on buckets would be higher as they only lose from top and bottom whereas soil can lose moisture in every direction.

[@simplifygardening]

Yes my thinking exactly. I also think the nutrients are contained along with the rootball whereas in the ground roots are free to roam passed where the feed was put possibly limiting the amount it can uptake

[@northof48-]

Yes, for sure I will be growing in buckets next year. The space I will save in my backyard is also ideal.

[@simplifygardening]

Yes it saves loads of space. Let me know how you get on

[@lindapenney5207]

Awesome update i am trying to grow some shop brought ones in straw that had sprouted in my potato bag wear i keep shop brought ones blessing to you and the family

[@simplifygardening]

How are they looking so far Linda? A few folks who have commented are growing shop bought but in soil rather than straw. be good to know how they are doing?

[@simplifygardening]

Linda has a great garden and I enjoy her videos each time she uploads

[@todd1469]

I'm going to try using grow bags this year; I'll be interested to see how they fare vs the thick buckets he's using.

[@simplifygardening]

Grow bags will work just make sure they have good drainage

[@floriebrown2089]

I have seen this video of yours before, had every intention to grow my spud in pots as I have a few of these pots but time did not allow this year I am going to grow them in pots I think I have accumulated enough compost as well. Thanks for sharing your experiment.

[@simplifygardening]

Glad it was helpful!

[@purplethumb7887]

Awesome! This experiment clearly took a lot of work and time. Thanks so much! I think growing in containers keeps the compost/nutrients better concentrated rather than running all out in the ground?

[@syreetabryan3748]

I grow my potatoes and other crops in containers have done before I saw your videos this is beneficial and less stress then doing the digging method plus I have a very bad fox problem so I love when the potatoes grow the stems tall and bush out previously doing this in the ground or with other crops they get disturbed and dug up by the foxes. I’ll continue to use containers as I don’t have a very large garden but can grow a variety of crops using containers and it’s space saving worth while in the long run.

[@simplifygardening]

Containers are great to use I also have other videos that show how to preserve water in them and support the foliage

[@janetihaka799]

Stunning result.I’m using. Containers hs year.

[@prayeranon2631]

Thank you for the great video ! Keep up the great work . God bless you and your family.

[@simplifygardening]

Thank you! Will do!

[@wheezylivinginfrance9640]

I have been issues with potatoes as the ground here is very heavy clay that bakes solding in summer, I will definitely be trying containers next year, thanks for the great info, keep it up.

[@simplifygardening]

Sounds great!

[@annettesanchez4425]

Sheesh watching him feels like a full work out. Great explaining video!

[@simplifygardening]

Got to stay fit. Especially with all these nasty viruses about :)

[@annettesanchez4425]

@@simplifygardening yes sir. :) Thank you for all the hard work and for sharing these valuable tips. May God protect you and your family. Stay safe and healthy!

[@waynesallotment7757]

Hi Tony I have planted all my potatoes this year in containers, after getting a poor harvest last year I decided this was the way to go with regards containers. All the best Wayne

[@Wilson-bg4cg]

Impressive and we'll done Neil! Now if I could move that fast!

[@waxmus1]

I grow mine in pots, that way they take up much less space in my small garden and I'm usually happy with the yields. Great video/experiment - Thanks!

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks Lars, Yes they do take up less space, I could have got 13 containers in the row of buckets but left it at 10 to ensure we had the same number of plants

[@theblkknight7695]

Nice experiment. I'm definitely going to use buckets when I start growing potatoes. Thanks for sharing.

[@simplifygardening]

Im glad it was of interest BLK Knight. I look forward to chatting with you more

[@cheripierre9029]

Wow, 1st time serious gardner @ 62 and I threw some red potato starts in my raised beds and put some sweet potato plants in a 3 x 3 box. Waiting for harvest but I'm all in next year for container potatoes. Awesome video. Across the pond in North Carolina

[@simplifygardening]

That is awesome! Cheri. Welcome to the channel great to have you here

[@HansQuistorff]

I have some 55 gallon plastic barrels that were cut in thirds for planters so the middle cut has no bottom. I use that for potatoes. I put the ring on the garden bed and place the seed potatoes and cover with soil. when the tops reach the hight of the ring I fill the ring with soil. At harvest I lift the ring and spread the soil out to harvest and then plant my cover crop. Because I don't have to turn the containers over slightly less work than your containers. certainly less work than digging.

[@simplifygardening]

Yes much less than digging, That sounds like a great way to grow too. Hows the crops do with it like that

[@michellehite6235]

You have made me excited to grow potatoes in containers. I wil try this year! Yeh, I've struggled, so now I'm ready to try again...

[@simplifygardening]

Michelle containers will definitely work for you

[@ruthhadley8945]

I didn’t bother growing potatoes this year as they didn’t do well last year, however some have been growing in my compost bin, so I think your right they do grow better in tubs,

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks Ruth. It's funny when you don't want them to grow they come up everywhere lol

[@AQGYM]

This is fantastic I live in the east coast of canada. we have a problem with scab, container planting with compost would really help mitigate the problem and give me more potatoes. Many many thanks

[@simplifygardening]

Hey thanks for your comment. Scab can be a pain to control but the containers will really help just keep them moist

[@txredkim867]

I agree..I grow in 25 gallon grow bags and currently have 13 bags planted, 4 different types of potatoes. I grew in ground for years and never got the kind of yields my containers produce! I also agree with the comment you made regarding soil. The whole point of raised beds or containers is to control the quality of soil. Most native soil is worthless unless you spend years amending it! I have 6 large raised beds, 10 small raised beds and no less than 50 containers of every size and shape! I'll never grow in an earth bed again! I also have over 300 onions planted in my raised beds and they are doing fantastic! Happy gardening from Texas USA

[@simplifygardening]

Yes Kim you cant beat it, so much better. Check out tonights video on growing potatoes kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqXJiIasba6mepo This might be of interest to you

[@leslievanoord1922]

Fantastic the best all your input are treasured and appreciated . Yes it is greetings leslie from South Africa.this is the best videoed I've experienced. I feel your enthusiasm. Thanks a stack.

[@simplifygardening]

Oh thanks Leslie. Im real glad that the effort i put in comes through. I really appreciate you taking your time out of your day to view and even more so to comment.

[@theallotmentbubble9073]

Brilliant... I always grow in containers. Aside from the additional yield, I get no wire worm or slug damage.

[@simplifygardening]

Exactly, On top of that no fork damage either. How are your looking so far this year?

[@theallotmentbubble9073]

Pretty good actually. Average yield of 2.5kg per bucket. Lowest is 1.9kg and highest was 3.825kg. Single variety harvested so far (Spunta). Still to harvest my Cara, Vales Sovereign and Setanta.

[@ShootingOutside]

Great video and thanks for all the extra time you put into this for others to benefit from. I'll try this in the spring 2023 and keep them trimmed so the black buckets are warmed as you mentioned. I do grow lots of other veggies in buckets too

[@simplifygardening]

Yeah its a great way to grow on areas of ground you normally couldnt

[@eternalfizzer]

Thanks for using good scientific method to put your results in context! I grew potatoes in grass clippings and coffee sacks very successfully a couple years ago (I wanted to try "air pruning"). This year I've got 6 sprouted potatoes in my old bathtub (sand/compost topped with about 6" of long grass and dandelion leaves ) and 1 in a 10-L bucket (compost in a grocery bag so I can lift them out and pull some new potatoes as the season goes).

[@ackdaw]

certainly worth a try , as you say the compost can go on the garden to impove the soil the following year

[@simplifygardening]

Yeah which is what i do with it after and why it was just thrown into the slight trench that was created by the buckets

[@diaryofafarmgirl5189]

I watched a whole heap of youtubers doing this same experiment so in june I put some spuds into containers to see how well they do got a wee bit longer to wait yet but I am excited to see how it goes..loved this video

[@simplifygardening]

Yes I have been growing them this way for over 10 years long before 99% of gardeners were even on youtube lol. But the results are always fantastic

[@bozskaggz5402]

I love watching your tutorials Tony...I will for the first time be growing them in containers. I will let you know how things went, when I've done my first harvest.👍👍👍

[@simplifygardening]

Awesome Boz. If you're enjoying these check out my shorts channel too. Search simplify gardening shorts. all videos 1 min or less

[@EdgardoGases1]

Very informative video sir...that's what I observe...besides on that I saw your hands ...very diligently handling the soil and the root crops..

[@simplifygardening]

thanks sorry about the late reply, YT didnt notify me of a load of comments

[@southsidecarly7427]

Pretty clear buckets are better for potatoes! Nice harvest. Thanks for sharing the video

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks Carly

[@ronaldhagan2373]

Grate harvest, you did well. Thanks for sharing hank.

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks ROnald