These 5 SIMPLE Tips Will GUARANTEE You More Potatoes!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

If you found this video helpful, please “Like” and share to help increase its reach! Thanks for watching 😊TIMESTAMPS for convenience: 0:00 Intro To Growing Potato Plants 1:20 Tip #1: When To Plant Potatoes 2:40 Tip #2: Growing Potatoes In Containers 6:35 Tip #3: Seed Potatoes & Planting Potato Pieces 9:56 Tip #4: Fertilizing & Planting Potatoes 12:35 Tip #5: Mulching And Watering 14:35 Fertilizing Potatoes Schedule 17:16 Adventures With Dale

[@rolande6342]

It’s so hard to click on thumbnail with your type of facial expression. 🙄

[@northerngirlhobbies]

Timestamps matter for some. Usually when I click a video, I watch it or listen to the full thing while doing things. I don't have a 15 second brain span thank goodness. Grow good food, yes.

[@katiep4528]

I went to Amazon to purchase 20 gallon sacks, they only offer 15 & 30 gallon.

[@Meloniraelewis]

at 6 mins in the look on the dog's face is almost like it's looking at something? like "who are you talking to dad"?? "because i don't see anyone else..." or maybe it was looking at a squirrel or bird? unsure if you have someone running the camera maybe it was looking at them? idk i'm not an expert but i was thinking i've been growing potatoes in beds/mounds(mostly made of rotten hay/some compost/then extra char because of baby millipedes but mostly just rotten hay) i made on top of the earth and been growing them in the same exact spots for several years now and i'm in zone 5 a (in nw pa) and i've not had any problems with any blight and i realize i'm not as far south as you so maybe we don't have that problem in my area?, the only problems i've had is the baby millipedes and that was because the first year i did the garden(about 10 years ago) i used the black plastic around the plants and then that was too hot for some of the plants(mainly brassicas but others too) during the summer and so the next year i reluctantly kept the black plastic but put mulch(wood mostly wood chips) over the plastic to try to help keep the soil cooler and by the end of that year i started to notice WAY too many tiny black millipedes(which black landscaping plastic and wood chips is the "perfect breeding ground" and habitat for millipedes) and the babies(super tiny white "worms"(about a 1/4 inch long and a millimeter thick) except when viewed under a magnifying glass you could see their 100 legs and as they get bigger they're 1/2 white and 1/2 grayish pink?) anyway these baby millipedes were not only eating the potatoes(and eating the potatoes that were not even near plants with black plastic around them probably 50 feet away even) but the baby millipedes were maybe also eating the fall pea seeds i planted too?(i'm unsure if the pea seeds already had millipede eggs or what? i've been unable to just plant peas in the ground now but when starting the peas in a green house there've been 2 times(out of 10) where the seeds were STILL eaten and there was no way the pea seeds INSIDE had been infested with millipedes!?) anyway the char does repel the millipedes from the potatoes now and for the past probably 4 or 5 years the potatoes have gotten even better and better and i've never rotated them...the first year i covered the "mounds" of potatoes with "wood chips"(instead of hay and not wood from the store but from chopping the wood with an axe so they were various sizes) and that still worked ok BUT the potatoes didn't grow the entire way up the mound they were all down close to the ground so i quit mounding them because i learned you only need to add enough extra cover to the plants only to just cover any possible potatoes sticking out of the ground(not to cover the vine itself) so the potatoes don't turn green if they pop out of the dirt/hay/whatever they're planted in, not to mention some of the potatoes deformed because of the hunks of wood so the hay is a "softer" material...but seems like the potatoes will grow just about anywhere(in a pile of wood chips even)!!? and while i occasionally end up having a plant or two start grow when i didn't plant them in my two beds(each about 10'x3 or 4 feet)! i usually have to replant them all and i even let the seed pods fall and stay(the ones from the flowers the deer can't reach the deer love to eat the flowers) and when i'm harvesting the potatoes i really try to get them all BUT i hand dig them but it's easier to dig them because it's mostly just lose/rotting hay too....i did notice there was tiny black jumping beetles on the tops of some of the potato plants(tops) sometimes but these beetles don't seem to hurt the potatoes and and they don't ultimately kill the plants so i just let them be(in my first years of gardening i probably would have freaked out and tried to kill all the little black beetles with some kind of insecticide but after a week or so the beatles seem to disappear from the potato plants so i figure the plant starts to get attacked it makes it's "defense" chemicals then the bugs get discouraged and leave) i'm not sure if the beatles would be attracted to any other vege plants or if they might cause too much damage there??? and i kinda wondered if the beatles had come from? i got a few bags of compost from the store or maybe some eggs were on some of the hay?....hopefully this year i've made enough compost i won't have to buy any extra?!...but i feel like the more "natural" or the more close to how nature would be seem to behave is the best way to go...no plastic, no extra chemicals, no extra tilling/digging/weeding etc etc sure the act of planting some specific "seeds" because we want certain vege is "unnatural" enough except in as far as we are also part of nature....but the extra pesticides/fertilizers/or freaking out about some fungus/disease/pest/etc is not only unhelpful but mostly unnecessary nothing lives "forever"...

[@laurieedwards1831]

Great video! Do you have a link for initially preparing the bags for planting? Thanks!

[@miltonwelch8619]

You can't be much older than my first grandkids, but you sound like my grandfather when you talk gardening. Thanks again!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I’m not getting any younger 😆 I’ll be 37 this summer. I’m a millennial only by a few years. I got my first job on a farm when I was 11 and was in gardens well before that, so I have more experience than my age lets on.

[@innerjon]

Yes you do 👋🏼

[@catemc2323]

Dale knows his Mummy doesn’t mind him sleeping on the guest bed…that’s why she put the Doggie throw on it 🐶🥰😂🤣

[@kayte13]

I agree you have a Lotta knowledge. My family is from North Carolina and South Carolina unfortunately I’m still in California hoping to leave enjoy the weather in the Carolinas.

[@allenburch8526]

You sound like gen x. That’s a complement. Our NC house is under construction and I can’t wait to put in my garden.

[@5kidslater1]

You give some of the best tutorials. So clear. So detailed. You give the “why” as well as the “how”. You don’t waste my time with chit chat but get right to the point. Keep up the good work!

[@marulucido2367]

chit chat.. potatoes.. COINCIDENCE?! I THINK NOT!

[@cowboyblacksmith]

I grow potatoes in fabric bags, raised beds, in ground, and in tubs. Anywhere and anyhow I can grow them I do. 3/4 Irish here, lol. Canned they make incredible home fries and are perfect in soups and stews. It's like a treasure hunt digging them up. For survival food and storage they can't be beat. Everyone should plant potatoes. Picked fresh and eaten right away they're so awesome.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Potatoes are the king of storage foods. The white potato has a bad reputation due to the ubiquity of French fries, but actual potatoes are incredibly healthy - even better than sweet potatoes, because the protein is higher quality and actually can sustain you longer on their own! If you have a nice stash of potatoes and sweet potatoes, you have a nice bit of security!

[@sylviabeam8483]

I understand your treasure comment because my grandkids have so much fun digging up the potatoes

[@melissadixon4091]

That’s very sweet and I can’t wait to plant mine this year. Sounds like I’m a little late but I’ll still try knowing my yield will be exponential next year because I’ll be planting BEFORE our last frost. ☺️

[@kiddlesnmore2]

I have four buckets of taters growing right now. I like to dehydrate them in coin shapes. I made an augratin dry mix and vacuum sealed it in a mason jar, (taters too). I love augratin potatoes and I know Exactly what’s in them 🤤😋

[@rainneday13579]

Do you find them easy to grow?

[@nininoona]

Ive been growing potatoes in grow bags for a few years now, and I love it. I built (with scrap lumber and hardware cloth) a screen that would fit over my wheelbarrow. So when it was time to harvest, i could just dump and sort. Then easily put my soil back in my bags.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That's interesting. I'm guessing they're smaller containers? A 20 gallon would crush most screens. They're not heavy to simply tip over, but to pick it up and dump it in a wheelbarrow, it is a significant lift.

[@nininoona]

@@TheMillennialGardener I use 10g pots. Its more pots, but easier to pick up and flip out.

[@MsLookinup]

Great idea. I have a large heavy screen that fits over my wheelbarrow to screen out twigs and rocks, but never though to use it that way. Will try that in the fall. Thanks!

[@LisaMonique]

I had excellent results with my grocery store potatoes and they were good! They were sprouting on my counter so I just stuck them in pots and voila, they produced well!

[@kathymc234]

That's me. If they sprout and gone to far... I'm planting them.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

If they’re sprouting, they will work. Just don’t plant fresh conventional potatoes, because they may rot before they sprout.

[@lauraweiss7875]

I planted 12 russets that were sprouting in my pantry. I just stuck them in the ground in mid April and six weeks later they are HUGE and starting to flower. Fortunately I had a very fertile raised bed that was fallow last year and previously grew peas. I’m expecting massive yield.

[@chiefredbird7315]

One tip for potatoes in 5 gallon buckets...bury the bucket about 4 gallons deep in zone 9 ...it helps keep the moisture from drying out too quick and keeps the soil cooler.

[@lindajarvies3953]

I did the same with some tomatoes last year. They did great.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I would really urge the 20 gallon bags. They really appreciate the extra space, and they last longer. My 5 gallon buckets rot after 2 seasons, but my grow bags are 7 years old and good as new. Plus, a 20 gallon grow bag is cheaper than a 5 gallon bucket, now!

[@mariap.894]

​​@@TheMillennialGardener How do you keep your 20 gallon bags moist during the summer? I struggle because of their size I don't have a saucer to hold water. Any ideas? Thank you!

[@noeldeal8087]

@@TheMillennialGardener What do you think of the idea to grow in cardboard boxes?

[@noeldeal8087]

@@mariap.894 Maybe put old dried tree branches in the bottom of the bags or cardboard pieces?

[@kodiak1984]

I often use fabric containers for potatoes, not quiet 20 gallons. But as i found out, the amount of seed potato you plant in each container also effects yields and sizes. From the first time growing potatoes, i planted 5 seed potatoes in each container. I got plenty but i found them to be on the smaller side than i was expecting and hoping for. I now use 3 seed in each container and its gotten me much better results. In the container you planted in 7 I think you may be better off with 5 I'm in the UK, down in the south and we had an exceptionally hot and dry summer last year, probably mimicing some areas of US. As much as potatoes dont like heat, its also vital to water potatoes a little more often in those conditions to give them a chance

[@sylviabeam8483]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm fixing to start my seed potatoes and this really helped me

[@garhent]

For a 40 quart container, you can plant 2 indeterminate potatoes at different layers OR you can plant 4 determinate potatoes on two layers. One layer should be about a 1/3 way from the bottom and the other layer should be a 1/3 way from the top. Ensure you have decent amount of acidity in the soil, spaghnum moss can help with acidity, although I mix an acidifying fertilizer thought the entire container. Acid soil is what potatoes prefer and it helps to prevent potato scabies. Planting all 5 at the top of the container will crowd the potatoes and it wastes the soil. Plus now he's going to have to heavily mound the potatoes to prevent sunlight from greening the potatoes and making them poisonous. You want to learn about determinates and indeterminates for your potatoes before you plant them.

[@AlabamaConstitutionalCrusader]

Its not the amount you plant its the extra feed they need to keep up ... if you feed them correctly you can plant 10 . They just have a much higher need for micro nutrients and fertilizer

[@CityWideGardens]

Potatoes was one of the first things that started my garden!!! Grow what you eat. Eat what you grow!!! Soooo many ways to grow - in ground, raised beds, grow bags, plastic pots, hay bales, in your cabinet…. Yes those ones you forgot you had!!! Happy growing everyone.

[@laurab8547]

I’m hoping you will show us harvesting your potatoes in the fall? Thanks for all the great tips. I have a notebook that I’ve been keeping my planting and growing information in so I can refer back to when I need to. I will definitely be rewatching this one to write down all your tips!

[@powaqqatsi8]

I have watched many gardening KZbin videos and I find yours to be the best. Why? Because you are able to communicate your vegetable growing knowledge and tips well, efficiently, and focused. Thank you!

[@doileychair595]

I'm a first time gardener at 57 and have learned so much from you. Thank you! You need to sell a notebook with all your various plants and all the how to's: how to plant them; how to fertilize them when planting; how to fertilizing them as they grow; how to harvest them, etc., etc. I'm watching your videos over and over again, stopping, pausing, rewinding, watching again trying to take all these notes. 🤣 But one thing you didn't say here is how much Jack's 20-20-20 to use in how much water. I bought a bag (yes, because you recommended it) and it states how much to put in a gallon of water for %N. I have no idea how much %N I want / need. So I've just used the Miracle grow recommendation of 1.5 Tbl for 1.5 gallon of water. Plus the 2-3 second glug of fish fertilizer (yes, I bought that too because you recommended it). So help a brother out please. How much Jack's 20-20-20 should I put in how much water for potatoes? (Or just sell me your notebook. 🤣 )

[@LifeChangingItIs]

I’m needing to know also. 😢 Help! 😊

[@sarahreinhardt1414]

Michogan gardener here and lots of us plant out potatoes sooner than 2 weeks before last frost. As long as soil isn't sitting with large amounts of water and constantly freezing with all of that water, they do pretty well.

[@AmericaFirstNow]

YEP, zone 5b here in western NY.

[@user-ye1go6hw9r]

Waving hello, from SE MI

[@carrielemos2266]

Love this, and he loves his dog, so sweet!!!

[@Ashurus]

Your channel is the best for comprehensive gardening guides!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thanks so much! I'm glad to hear it is helpful.

[@ronweldon5892]

As always, an outstanding video packed with tons of great advice and I can't wait for my growing season to start. I picked up a half dozen water barrels from a friend I'm cutting in half for all my tubers. Tons of rabbits in my yard I'll be growing lots of carrots for. All set and fully stocked up over the winter on fertilyzers, Neem oil in case needed and a few other odds and ends they always sell out on when the season starts. So very anxious I'm chomping at the bits

[@denisemorrison6331]

❤ Dale 🥺 Btw, I learned a lot about potatoes today! I had found some growing in my pantry and decided to try my luck at it. I was fortunate and came across some 33 gallon pots. They’re already growing really well, but you gave me a lot of tips to keep them going, and when to harvest. Thanks!

[@briangustin3745]

Don't need seed potato if you have a means to store your taters in cool and dark (below 40 degrees , but above freezing) - We do about a bushel plus a year - enough for a year's supply, and still have some leftovers that will start sprouting early spring. I do have a cellar (rarely ever gets above 60 degrees in summer, typically low 40's in winter) and store harvested potatoes in bushel basket covered with heavy tarp. so when next spring rolls around, we always have sprouting potatoes to re-plant. Never have to buy seed potatoes that way. :) I believe there are ways to build your own DIY root cellar in backyard as well, so may not need a cellar like we have (Northern P.A.)

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That would be the same as planting an organic potato, or planting a potato that already sprouted. If they’re potatoes leftover from the previous season, they are probably starting to sprout in some capacity. If they were stored so cold that it inhibited sprouting that long, it is the same as planting an organic store potato. Old potatoes usually sprout quickly once they’re brought into a warm area.

[@noeldeal8087]

I think my garage might work for winter storage however I think I may be battling the occasional mouse for my harvest!

[@valoriegriego5212]

Another nice tutorial, MG!👍 When I cut my seed potatoes, I dip them in potash. You don't have to wait for them to heal when ya use the potash. I grow my potatoes in leaf mold or just leaves...3 inches of soil in the bottom of the pot.🥔 This saves on soil. Dale's too cute. 🐕

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Interesting. Potash crystals? I have a bag that's lasted me many years, but it's so incredibly strong. Any time I get lazy and touch them bare-handed, I will get eczema between my fingers. That stuff is so powerful. It's the only thing that gives me that type of reaction. Dale is a momma's boy. He acts like such a tough guy, but he's melted butter.

[@valoriegriego5212]

@@TheMillennialGardener I'm calling the ash I make in my fireplace to add to potting mix potash...is that wrong? That's what I use on the cut potatoes.

[@mariap.894]

​@@valoriegriego5212 I thought Potash meant wood ashes also🤔??

[@Flippin_Crazy]

@@valoriegriego5212wood ash, and potash are 2 different animals. Wood ash is great also for keeping wire worms away. I’ve also heard using it to scan over your cut potatoes works too.

[@valoriegriego5212]

@@Flippin_Crazy Thanks!😃

[@marionward7115]

Thanks! Love your channel. You make everything so easy to understand. Unfortunately I waited too late to plant potatoes (Hot GA)but looking forward to using your technique in the fall. Can’t wait! Dale is such a sweet dog, love that face!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you so much for your support and generosity! I really appreciate it! I don't think it's too late for you to plant potatoes, especially in containers. Mine are just coming up now, and your temperatures are almost identical to mine, so you should be able to get by. Worst case, if you plant them in containers, you can always move them into the shade if it gets too hot too quickly. You don't really have anything to lose, especially if you have some old potatoes sprouting in the pantry. Dale says hello!

[@noeldeal8087]

@@TheMillennialGardener "Dale says hello." So cute! 🤗

[@diananazaroff5266]

I had a bag of store bought russets that, literally, all sprouted. I planted them in my big tree pots (pots that used to house big trees, lol) yesterday. Didn't fertilize, though, so I'll do that tomorrow. My potato growing skills are terrible and have been for years. It appears I've been doing it all wrong, but this year I'll do it right. I didn't know about the heat issue. For whatever reason, I thought they liked heat (GA here, so LOTS of heat). Going out tomorrow to get a few Kennebecs and Yukon Golds to add to the collection, lol. Thank you for your vids.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Potatoes like cool weather and lots of fertilizer. If you're struggling with potatoes, you're probably planting them too late and they're exposed to too much heat, you're keeping them too wet and they're rotting, or you're not feeding them enough. They need a lot of food, they like being in well-drained soil that isn't wet, and you have to harvest them before it gets hot. I think if you follow those principles, you'll do great. Georgia is *way too hot* in summer to grow potatoes. However, you can plant more potatoes in early August for a great fall harvest! They are a great fall crop.

[@whataworld369]

You are fantastic at making videos. Nothing but perfectly presented vital information. Extremely helpful and easy to watch. Thank you

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you!! I really appreciate that. It means a lot.

[@whataworld369]

@The Millennial Gardener I showed a few of your videos to my father, and he is a big fan now, too. He is convinced you must be a school- trained botanist with the vast knowledge you have I told him you could instead be a well- seasoned gardener who is internet researched and trained, and not necessarily schooled... I don't think he fully understands the power of the internet yet Either way, we both agree that the knowledge and way you communicate it is absolutely superb!

[@jenniferbrown3193]

I've watched this vid at least 2 times so far and always find more informative advice 😅... Ive been holding off dumping out my potatoes for about 3 weeks now, mainly because only one area of the bag the leaves were changing color and dying off.. now it's all but one spot... So I think today is the day!!!! I'm so excited! I've never grown potatoes before... 🤞 My red potato bag has yield on the high side 🤞🤞😊 will post an update later!!

[@jenniferbrown3193]

Not so well 😔 only got 5 tiny red potatoes!! But I knew I messed up the soil so I have a new batch already growing

[@jenniferbrown3193]

@@A-Maree awwwww... Yes there's always next time!!!

[@mountainmama7155]

I just finished planting my potatoes today. We planted alot of potatoes this year. I always grow them in ground, as That is what works best for me. Last year we got more potatoes than we ever have! I am confident we will get much more this year!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

If I had the land, soil and climate, I would do that, but alas, I cannot here. The rains we get are a major problem, and our soil is sandy and contains root knot nematodes. So, containers it is!

[@mountainmama7155]

@@TheMillennialGardener I grew up on the east coast of NC, so I understand those issues!

[@mariap.894]

​@@TheMillennialGardener Root nematodes!!!😮😮😮 That's my nemesis!!! I struggle with that here in Florida 😢😭😭

[@51rwyatt]

Great video. I'm growing potatoes in fabric containers this spring, first time doing potatoes. Pretty excited about it. I've had farmer's market potatoes locally and the difference from store bought was pretty striking, so looking forward to the grow.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It is a lot easier. You’ll need a lot of containers if you want a massive haul, but they’re close to autopilot minus basic watering and fertilizing.

[@51rwyatt]

@@TheMillennialGardener I'm most attracted to the ease of harvesting using that method, plus I live in Maine and I've noticed many plants benefit from increased heat from being in the above-ground pots.

[@cowboyblacksmith]

Good for you, you will be hooked on growing potatoes I promise. I am trying something new to me I saw a potato expert say. He cuts off any chits (the sprouted eyes) leaving only two per potato or cut slice. Just let the cuts heal and scab over for a few days is all. It's said that having just two chits makes bigger potatoes and a healthier plant. I'll find out and do a test run, kind of excited about it truth be told.

[@raspeight22]

Did I miss the hilling part?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

@@raspeight22 hilling was discussed several times throughout the video.

[@amyable3596]

Hello Millenial Gardener! I just found your channel today. I have been trying to find someone with gardening videos that is close to my area. I am on the northeast coast of NC. I see so many videos that I want to watch already. Thank you!❤

[@sheliadean9548]

I love your videos and thank you for sharing this information with us.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you! I’m glad you find them helpful.

[@dwightdaniels8322]

I think you should discuss the differences between early, mid, and late season (or long season) potatoes.

[@Surge_General]

I've helped a few ppl feel confident on growing gardens by having them grow potatoes. They now like gardening since they were able to grow potatoes, so in other words it's great for newbies just getting into gardening. Nice video by the way!

[@debbiedebbie1626]

You detailed such clear instructions thank you

[@joycedimaggio3816]

Never had a problem growing my potatoes in the ground. I have been blessed for the past 20 yesrs.

[@RetiredLife825]

I bought red potatoes and they grew sprouts and I planted them and they are growing great 👍

[@susanriggs8896]

Before I talk potatoes, I want to talk tomatoes. In one of your earlier videos you mentioned the Dwarf Tomato Project, to which I responded to myself: "Huh? Sounds intriguing." So I have spent the last few days finding out more about the Dwarf Tomato Project, and I am eager to grow them. I've ordered some seeds. I think you mentioned Rosella Purple a number of times, so that is one I ordered. Have you tried others? I would like to know more about your experience growing them. And thanks for spreading the word about them. They sound like a better alternative to the tall indeterminants I've been growing in my small garden. I also enjoyed your potato video. I've been growing potatoes in 20 gallon bags for the last two years. It's so easy to grow them this way. We especially like the purple potatoes that I bought from my CSA and then planted--don't know the variety, but they sure are good!

[@j.campos9898]

I love you dale. He’s the best potato watch dog ever. Great video.

[@scenicroutetravelers3655]

I started mine! Your advice and presentation is great. Thanks for all your help.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Excellent! I'm glad the video was helpful.

[@Ladythyme]

This was very very helpful…my first time planting potatoes! You’ve given me the confidence to give it a try! Thank you!

[@CBReal1290]

Thank you so much for the detail on the various conditions that the potato will rot before, sprouting or maturing. Also for making this video specific to container gardening

[@spideymcgee4718]

Nothing better than fresh potatoes. I dedicated 2/3 of one of my two 4x8 raised bed to russets and Yukon golds and they are overtaking my bed. I should have a huge harvest and I cannot wait. I planted them here outside Philly in mid April so just a few more weeks until harvest! Edit: I’ll make sure I get every damn potato out and I plan on putting locally made mushroom soil for next season in the raised beds so I’m not worrying about them popping up everywhere. I only have a 20x8 section my mother has allowed me to grow in her yard so I can’t have tons of pots and the pots I have I use for beans so I can have tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers. All of my potatoes are from the grocery store and I haven’t had any issue. Just three russets didn’t sprout out of 12 and all 12 Yukons sprouted. Oh and I only cut the russets and did not cut the Yukon so I believe it is better to not cut them. But to each their own.

[@paultaylor7570]

I would love to know how many pounds you get from your 4 x 8 bed. One year we got approx 30 lbs from ours.. North east Ohio.

[@spideymcgee4718]

@@paultaylor7570 so 7-8 single smaller than a tennis ball sized Yukon got me around 6 pounds. I had to harvest them two weeks early because of heavy rain. The russets I am actually harvesting today, which will be a week or so early but they got beaten up bad too.

[@spideymcgee4718]

@@paultaylor7570 only 1/3 of the bed was dedicated to Yukon gold and 1/3 to russets. Tomatoes on the other 3rd are doing great. Chocolate sprinkles are about 8 feet tall as are the sun golds. 2 early girls are about 6 feet, big boy is about that size as well and the celebrity (determinate) is about 4 and they are all doing exceptionally well.

[@AjArpopP52]

Excellent video! Your channel is the best out of all the different garden channels I watch and I watch a lot. You can tell you know your stuff and you give great directions with out a lot of unnecessary talk. So happy I found you!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you! I really appreciate that, and I'm glad you're enjoying the content.

[@debheesen2097]

Thank you for the very last tip, about making sure there's going to be a little dry spell after you plant. If my russets don't come up it's because we had a 3-day downpour right after I planted and I didn't know that rain was a weather concern for potatoes! Thank you again

[@scottbaruth9041]

Even though I'm not a raised bed or container grower, I appreciate any video that will get people growing food! There are so many different ways to grow that makes gardening such an amazing hobby. Very nice video!

[@valerieeckhard6675]

I also have a science background (medical). I appreciate the scientific reasoning and loved the fertilizer experiment! My son and I will attempt to grow potatoes this year because of this video.

[@rosaleaschwenke770]

You have answered all my questions. I'm so glad I found your channel, it's difficult to find a gardening program that doesn't glaze over the details but also doesn't use words that I have to pull out a dictionary to understand.

[@lambsquartersfarm]

Awesome. This is the year I go big with potatoes.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

They’re a great thing to grow! You can’t go wrong.

[@coastflyer1]

Very well done by an experienced, educated, grower and hard worker. Carries forward and expands a fine family history and knowledge of a range of ag/ growing. His advice is top notch. The information is complete backed by a thorough listing of source information he prepared and attached to this video. Very well done.

[@AlvinMcManus]

I have successfully chitted off 7 small red potatoes from the store that decided to sprout. My two 15 gallon wide bags are full of new potato leaves popping out of the soil. Thanks for this video. I followed your fertilizing schedule using a blend of the Fish Emulsion + Kelp + Tom&Veg liquid fertilizers and a dry blend of four of Jobe's granular at 3.75-3.5-3.65; and thanks for the reminder to mulch. I'll be using chopped clean straw.

[@Luv2Garden2]

I've grown alot of potatoes in dollar store laundry baskets. Last year I bought the black bags. I hardly got any potatoes. I'm so use to getting loads. Going to change soil and try your way. Thank you!❤

[@cindym1070]

Thank you for all of your time doing these wonderful videos. Absolutely love Dale.

[@thatgirl3645]

Thank you so much for sharing very good information! Aww poor baby Dale missing his mommy, sending my love to that sweet baby pup.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! Dale's mom will be home tomorrow and all will be well again 🥳

[@KurtBaumanMobilePhotography]

One of the best videos on growing potatoes. I've done both, grown in fabric pots and last year I wanted a lot and grew in two raised beds. I was very disappointed in the yield vein the raised beds. I got way more potatoes growing in containers. This year I'm going back to large fabric pots.

[@MichaelRei99]

Poor Dale ! He really loves his family!! I got an unexpected harvest from some russet potatoes that I planted the year before last. It was a very pleasant surprise!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

He really does. When we aren't all together, he is so down in the dumps. He is a completely different person when the family is together and when we aren't. He really loves his pack. I dumped a bag of potatoes in the corner of my house 4 years ago, and they grow back every year. Even in January during warm spells, they'll sprout in the corner, then eventually get killed back...again and again and again. They're tough!

[@mselizabeth2644]

I grow potatoes. All varieties. They are magnificent.

[@northerngirlhobbies]

Yes containers make more sense. 100% Cute Lawn Potato 🐾🥔

[@teenagardner3623]

I think Dale has gotten taller😊 your video on potatoes is much appreciated. You did not do the "1st early, second early confusing stuff. I just want to grow a basic 🥔. Last fall was my first attempt at potatoes and used store bought that sprouted in pantry. My yield wasn't great due to my errors. However, I over wintered my harvest in a box, cool dry place. This spring I opened box full of octopus 😅 oh my goodness 😂

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm not quite sure what you mean by "1st early, second early." The best advice I can give on growing potatoes is get them in ground as early as possible, don't over-water them and feed them heavily. A hidden potato in a pantry will be 2 feet long before you know it! Dale has many faces since he's half hound and half pit bull/staffordshire. Depending on his stance, he either looks stocky and muscular or long and lanky. He looks like two different dogs based on his ear position and chest position.

[@teenagardner3623]

@The Millennial Gardener your video is based on growing a common potato we all regularly eat.

[@bethheerten1132]

By far the best info I have seen about potato growing. I have scheduled "plant potatoes" for next week and had not yet decided between in ground or containers, guess I'll do containers. Also, I did not know about not letting them get too wet until they had rooted and started to grow. Containers will be much easier to cover if needed during frequent early spring rains. Thanks for all the info you share. P.S. Glad Dale didn't think the stuffed animals in the guest room were his new chew toys.

[@mikemiller209]

Great video on the potato, I've been growing them for 15 years or so and put in about 70 two days ago.. they will rot if you get too much rain but if there's a drought ants tend to find them as a water / food source

[@noeldeal8087]

how do you grow them? 70 plants? Awesome!

[@mikemiller209]

@@noeldeal8087 I don't hill them just bury them about 6in deep in the first place and that will take care of the plant .. Iplant two 35ft rows putting seed a foot apart is more than enough

[@noeldeal8087]

@@mikemiller209 Thank you Mike!!! Happy potato growing!!! 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔

[@noeldeal8087]

@@mikemiller209 Do you use seed potatoes? I have some chitting right now that I got from the grocery store...🥔 I never grew potatoes before...

[@paultaylor7570]

@@mikemiller209 any idea how many pounds your get,from those two rows. I'am debating on raised bed planting for next year or in ground rows. In the past I get around 30 lbs per 4 x 8.

[@mexicas6637]

As always, comprehensive. Thank you. Now I feel ready to get started with my first potato plantings.

[@alexischitwood2272]

Thank you! This was just what I was looking for. I found a bag of organic baby Yukon gold potatoes in my cabinet that had started sprouting. So rather than wast them I'm gonna try to grow more! I already have some of these fabric grow bags so I'm planting out my seed potatoes now. So excited to see what I come out with!

[@grannygct]

Thank you so much for your wonderful, informative potato video! I will definitely try growing them in a fabric bag this time instead in a raised bed. Good idea to grow potatoes by themselves in a container. It is easy to move the fabric bags or containers around to sunny locations. Can’t wait to have a good harvest!

[@carolhesse1054]

Love your videos! I used your advice for creating slips from sweet potatoes and it worked! Thank you

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Outstanding! Glad it worked. I have a few sweet potatoes going right now.

[@cindysye8047]

Me too on 1 out of 3, fancy Asian grocery store ones too!

[@bevdixon9615]

I am doing this too! I am growing two Japanese varieties one has purple flesh and the other is white inside. Last year ours were so huge and the dog found them and had fun eating the whole crop.

[@noeldeal8087]

@@bevdixon9615 Bad dog!!! He's a gourmet!!!

[@sylvesteregan3297]

If you grow potatoes in ground and have a massive surplus of potatoes you can store them over the winter by creating a pit for them. Dig a rectangle shape pit with shovel about 5-6 inches deep. Pour all your potatoes into pit and stack them on top of each other in the shape of a roof/triangle shape. Then open up a bale of straw and scatter it over all the potatoes. Then from the base shovel the clay over the thatch straw, covering it all. Tap it shovel to compact the clay. And then put another layer of straw at the top for about 1 foot from the top to act as a second roof. Throw more clay on top of this layer of straw. Tap it with shovel. Job done. When it rains hopefully any water that gets through the clay will flow down wards when it meets the straw. They will store over winter and you can dig out a few bags of them as you need them for dinner. Dig them out from the base and reseal it. Snag off any root growth.

[@noeldeal8087]

You don't line the rectangular pit with anything? You leave the potatoes touching the ground?

[@TheWitteFam]

Potatoes are always grown in my garden since they are so easy to grow and a staple on my table for my family. Love ur videos 💜🤟🏽

[@noeldeal8087]

how do you grow them?

[@BruceVanatta]

I use a 8-32-16 fertilizer, never have used bonemeal but going to try it. I've had good luck. Always plant in the right sign of the moon if possible. Really makes a difference.

[@TheSeedsower107]

Thanks for another excellent video ! I'm glad you even went back to cover using conventional potatoes. I find up here in Michigan that if I buy a bag of russet potatoes from a thriftier store like Save a lot I never have any issues with my potatoes sprouting. They don't spent the extra money to keep them longer in the store as more exspensive retailers do. That being said , I am an organic gardener and prefer to grow organic anything I can. Have a wonderful growing season everyone !

[@bronwynnewell1767]

Thanks for the recap on planting spuds. Even though here on the New South Wales coast we’re in Autumn, I’m pretty sure we are a zone 11, so our autumn / winter is ideal for spud growing. We are less than 5km (as the crow flies) from the ocean, so we rarely get frost at our place. Last time we planted our spuds in one of our raised beds, but as this bed full of kitchen herbs I think we’ll go with your recommendation for using grow bags. PS I can’t get enough of “Adventures with Dale”, he’s a gorgeous soul!!

[@carolhesse1054]

I followed your directions for my red potatoes and they are growing so well. They love the fish food, or as I call it, fish goo. Thanks

[@crochetgottaloveit]

Thank you for making this video; this is my first time to grow white potatoes. I'm in Zone 9a and I planted my potatoes back in March in a 4' x 8' raised bed. You got me to thinking when you said to plant two weeks before last frost date. I might plant next year's crop in February instead. Your doggie is beautiful, too!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm glad it was helpful! Just keep in mind that if you were to get a late frost, you'd have to cover the greens or bury them further in mulch to protect them. Ideally here in Zone 8a, I'd plant my potatoes around March 15-21. That way, they break ground around April 1 when it's usually safe.

[@royalrich2337]

@@TheMillennialGardener - I’m sad about missing the plant-before-the-last-frost. I’ve had my seed potatoes for weeks but was told not to plant anything until after Easter or last frost. Oh well just going to try my best to keep them watered well and hope for the best. First time trying white potatoes

[@joyceburns7487]

Great information as usual! I live in northern NY with terrible rocky soil, so we grow everything in raised beds or containers. Thanks for this!!

[@WJ_Warpig2024]

Super helpful. I have 10 bags going . My first potato garden

[@jordanhemp9068]

This was the most helpful video i've seen in a while.Thank you so much🙃🖤

[@mrkroeger]

We have been growing a small patch for several years. Its so much fun digging them up. Its like box of chocolates, you never know What you're going to get. Each potato is a surprise. They are more tasty too. Potatoes are a must in our garden now.

[@dfpressler1243]

You have a beautiful dog! Oh, and your videos are great! God Bless!

[@brichter4669]

I have a very small backyard and only do container gardening. This year, I made my own potting mix with added amendments and filled 35 grow bags. I have a very large outdoor pergola patio that I put the grow bags on. I use heavy duty plant saucers underneath the grow bags to water them, since the bags like to wick water from the bottom. It also catches fertilized water, which the bag reuses. This is my first time growing potatoes. I had a bag of red potatoes from the grocery store I forgot about, and they had sprouted really well in the bag without rotting. I used 2, 10 gallon growbags, filled the grow bag with about 4 inches of potting mix, put 3 small sprouted potatoes in each bag sprout side up and covered them with about 6 inches of potting mix. I will hill the sprouts when they grow taller. Yesterday, 8 days later, 1 sprout came up. Today, 9 days later, 5 more sprouts breached the surface. I am so excited! The best liquid fertilizer I've found that conditions the soil and has very beneficial NPK is Medina HastaGro Plant Food. I'm growing dwarf tomato plants this year, 6 varieties, they are 9 weeks old, are tall, strong and loaded with flowers and little tomatoes from using the HastaGro. My other veggies are doing extremely well also. My sister is also using HastaGro, and her flowers and veggies love it. I buy HastaGro locally, but it can be purchased on Amazon.

[@ruthfurlow5468]

I grow 2 crops in Southern Illinois. 1st crop goes in the ground February 14th. 2nd crop goes in the ground after the harvest of the 1st crop just rotating the area in a different area.

[@veevee3882]

I grew my potatoes in the containers last year and I did hill them very nicely

[@rhondamalary1048]

I recently started adding copper wire to my garden beds to see if "electroculture gardening" really works. My plants are growing even better with the copper grounding in the beds. I would suggest you try it. I am in Shallotte about 45 minutes south of you. Lowes has copper wire for $.55 per foot. TOTALLY WORTH IT!!

[@myurbangarden7695]

Interesting 🤔

[@scottbaruth9041]

My gardens are under the high voltage power lines that go from a power plant to a city. Defiantly something good about electricity and gardens. I think electromagnetic fields create nitrogen similar to lighting in a storm. I remember pictures in organic gardenig and farming magazine where people set up lighting rods in their gardens, hoping to get that nitrogen strike.

[@rhondamalary1048]

I just took 8 gauge copper wire wounded around a stick with some from the top sticking up higher and stuck them in my garden beds and my plants. Are? Going crazy I can see several inch different after a rainstorm with lightning.

[@trotter2099]

Getting store-bought potatoes and sprouting them and growing potatoes from them is perfectly doable in the UK as we don't spray ours with tonnes of chemicals. Also, I have heard from friends in the USA that they are able to grow spuds from store-bought even though they have been sprayed, it can just take a little longer and they have a smaller yield. However, they end up acclimating the spuds to their area and if they keep some of the spuds for planting the next year they get a bigger and better crop

[@CabinGRL]

I am growing potatoes year round in ground and buckets! It’s so easy. I do reds and golds. I grow them in buckets and 10 inch pots as well as massive pots, clean trash cans, and then in ground even though cold weather. If it’s going to be in the teens I bring into garage and even house for a real cold snap. The containers are fun because you can so easily turn them out and know what your yields are with different grow mediums. I recommend Black Kow Composted Manure it just increases my harvest so much! 😊

[@slydog7131]

I planted store potatoes this year and they are all doing great. I did chip them first though, which should be done even for seed potatoes.

[@denniellehannah7915]

So glad I found your channel! I am starting to grow my own food this summer in Northern Michigan. So many amazing very thorough videos for me to learn from. Thank you so much for the time you take to do this!!

[@MrsGixxer]

Excited to start growing potatoes. Great video!

[@BeFoundJCP]

You’re a fantastic teacher sir. Thank you so much.

[@screepster]

I'm in 5A and have them about 1" tall today in the greenhouse. Gotta love greenhouses and rabbit pellets from the meat rabbits you just can't help but have a great harvest.

[@cris_miko]

This will be my first time growing potatoes and I'm using your method. Please do a video on sweet potatoes. I have slips rooting now from organic blue sweet potatoes ❤!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Great! I have probably the most detailed video on sweet potatoes out there right here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZprKoWh_r7RlZ8k

[@clintwalker7690]

I say, that sounds true, for urban garders. Suburban gardeners should listen! Food is at your fingertips!

[@NonieK2267]

I love this idea of grow bags . I live in the Az desert. I can put these bags in a place where my ground is not broken down with wood chips. The soil is clay and hard not good for in ground planting.😊

[@debkincaid2891]

Wow! So much good information. And organic focused. Yay!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@PeteCorp]

Yesssss. This is just what I was thinking.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Glad I could help!

[@ruthfurlow5468]

I spray foliage with kelp, fish , tea made from the compost pile and fish I catch in our pond

[@robertmannel4446]

I'm a second year. I am finding that my red skins only grow maybe six inches deep, give or take. I am using big containers, but my observation is that square footage ( growing area) is important. The depth of my containers seems to matter less than the area, as I am not finding any fruit below a certain level. Lots of babies and few bigguns. Potato salad tonight. They are delicious! I was hoping for more volume. My side yard was planted in ground and two weeks later and has many more flowers. I'm leaving it as there is a ton of healthy foliage. We will harvest as needed until the die back happens. Learning curve for me. Also I planted my seed potatoes closer together in the containers. Northern Va. here. We will see. Thoughts?

[@sylvia10101]

Thank you for sharing this info😊👍

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You’re welcome!

[@ryanfitzalan8634]

you can use store potatoes, you just need to wash them with soap and water, than chit them in the sun. I will be trying trellising my plants this year to help cut down on pests and disease, also to make it easier to mulch with straw around the bottom. I will also try growing potatoes from true seed i saved from last year, to see if i can have some fun developing some genetic variability in my crops.

[@stephendaurie9344]

been having a hard time with potatoes scab for the past 10 years tried several methods to control it that failed this looks like a good alternative to try

[@karawonder4492]

I love watching you and learning so much more then I knew .thank u

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! I'm so glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@ruthfurlow5468]

Clean stray is awesome mulch

[@danacraig220]

Love it and also those look like my fav smart pot brand...with the good strong comfortable handles.

[@crazyeclecticboutique1885]

Awesome! Thank You! Your Dog Is Great!

[@deborahthompson5041]

Good information. I really learned from you. Thank you. I am going to grow potatoes this year. Russet and red. Usually, I grow sweet potatoes. I appreciate you tips.

[@nildaotero2933]

Thanks for all the great tips

[@Millerp323]

This was the perfect video. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and for articulating answers to questions I didn't even know I had! #lawnpotato

[@ComfortOsei-p8q]

Great information for beginners such as myself