Worth it? Growing potatoes in containers?

[@CarlosOrozco-tv5dv]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge about growing potatoes in containers.

[@ricorodi]

It’s my pleasure. Thanks for watching the video.

[@bellaclara9541]

Like the idea of the container vegetable garden! Not a bad yield from the containers ! Just love 🥔 s 😂

[@ricorodi]

Thanks for the comment. I’ve had a yield before, of over 3kg per large container. I think I can get that again or more with the next “innovation” 🤞

[@PeterSedesse]

small hint. if you plant multiple potatoes in the same container, plant them a few inches higher than each other. A lot of the tubers grow horizontal from the seed potato, so they crowd each other if all planted at the same level.

[@ricorodi]

Thanks for the tip. I’ll try it. 👍👍

[@ricorodi]

It’s not in my latest video, but I’m trying your suggestion anyway. It makes perfect sense. 👍

[@nickthegardener.1120]

Great advice, I was going to say the same 😂👍🏻🤠

[@Number4lead]

Si.e varieties more than others.

[@valeriecrowe3893]

Thank you for this video. I’m excited to see the layering technique.

[@ricorodi]

Me too. I’ll try to video the process from planting to harvest. Thanks for watching.

[@jasons-jungle]

I've been growing my main crop indeterminate spuds in pots for a few years now. I put 1-3 seed potatoes at the bottom of my 30 liter tree buckets and then top it right up to the top with compost - I don't bother letting it grow, top up, grow, top up and not had a problem with doing them this way (ok, I've had 1 potato not make it, a grocery store potato that had started to grow long white shoots in the storage bag). With my Early determinate spuds I will use 3 or 4 in a bucket but plant them differently. I plant one at the bottom then a layer of soil, another one a quarter of the way around the bucket, more soil, then a third and then the 4th. This is because determinate spuds only grow potatoes on the layer that the potato is planted whilst indeterminate potatoes will grow them all along the stem.

[@ricorodi]

It sounds like a sensible approach. Seed it and leave it. No hassle. I will probably use your approach as soon as this test is done. I think the potatoes we get here are determinate (meaning, they grow for about 90 days and then the plants die). I don’t think one can find indeterminate potatoes on this island, but I’ll ask around. I might just get funny looks. 🤣 Thanks for watching the video and for the comments. Good luck with your harvest.

[@AntonGully]

@@ricorodi First and second earlies tend to be determinate, main crop indeterminate. Determinate potatoes tend to grow potatoes all in one plane. Indeterminate will sprout potatoes all along the underground sprout and grow potatoes all over. With first and second earlies you can often just bury them shallowly and then cover with mulch. They'll put down roots and grow greenery, but the potatoes will grow virtually ground level, making for east harvesting. Just gotta watch they're covered enough not to get sun exposure.

[@careyfaires-kt6zr]

As always, I learn a great deal from your videos. Obrigado Ricardo!

[@ricorodi]

É um prazer. Obrigado 🙂

[@HatcheryRidgeHomestead]

Such a beautiful view! We planted our potatoes in containers but didn't know we should plant them and then add soil. So we will see how ours turn out. I wish I saw your video before we planted. So far I am super impressed with our containers and the way the plants grow so effortlessly!

[@ricorodi]

So, you planted the potatoes and added soil to the top? Please let me know how yours turn out.

[@ricorodi]

I will do. 🙂

[@ricorodi]

Thank you. We are blessed with the view. I have an experiment going where I’ve 3 containers (I progressively added soil to one, planted potatoes in layers in another, and did not add any soil in a third). I’ll publish a video on the results at the end of August 🤞

[@dml0b3i15]

This method definitely looks easier than growing them in the ground! Looking forward to the results of your next experiment!

[@ricorodi]

Yes, and you don’t have to lift the container like I did. You can pour it out onto a tarpaulin instead of a wheelbarrow. I did that last year and it was even easier. The other benefit is that you don’t damage the potatoes with a digging tool, when you dig them out of the ground. Thanks for watching 🙂

[@angieh8228]

A great experiment and good to know. Many thanks!

[@ricorodi]

Thank you.

[@coachhannah2403]

I've never gotten my money's worth growing potatoes, but they are a lot of fun! I continue...

[@AntonGully]

Tell me about it. I spent enough on seed potatoes to buy about thirty bags every year and never crop anything close to that, but it's a bit like buying a scratch card. Never know what you're going to get until you dig them up.

[@nedskiechannel3892]

Very nice thank you for sharing so wonderful potato in a pot take care and have a wonderful day I subscribe for you 👏👏👏

[@ricorodi]

Thank you 😊 🙏

[@rizesgardening]

Good potato harvest mate!

[@dimboolabladeworks7927]

Glad your harvest went well , looking forward to seeing the layered version, cheers from Australia ( we grow in pots here too we live in the desert here and best rain is 10 inches a year so pots save a lot of water )

[@ricorodi]

Wow. You have different challenges. Do your potato planta grow all year round too?

[@dimboolabladeworks7927]

@@ricorodi it'd be nice but winters in deserts get cold overnight, we avg 20 frost days per year , and some varieties dont like the 45 - 50 deg C heat in summer , but we get 200-300 Kg's still from split season growing from 85 pots , we've settled on 8 varieties that do ok with the area , we've trialled 56 types , but 8 do rather well

[@TravelinMama73]

Currently doing the experiment you are planning. I've got a large, 50+ gallon container and I put two different layers of russet potatoes in it. The plants are doing beautifully and currently flowering. Anxiously awaiting the dieback and harvest 🙏

[@ricorodi]

That’s very exciting. If they’re already flowering it means harvest time is approaching. Good luck with it and do let me know how it turns out, as I’m pretty curious to know the results. 🤞

[@electraspy]

I enjoy the anticipation of a good garden experiment, often with potatoes. I live in the mountains and we have many gophers and though I have created protected raised beds for my other vegetables, potatoes take up a lot of prime space for a long time. So I have been using big grow bags with wire screen under them and it’s been keeping gophers out without using up the wood beds. This year, I took my smallest saved seed potatoes and planted them just as you did, nice & deep. Then after they grew up through a few inches above soil, I planted more small seed potatoes between the foliage of previous plants. Then I buried those them all again. My observations from previous years is that where you plant the seed potatoes tends to be where the bulk of potatoes end up, so to me, it makes sense that at least one more layer about 6 inches above the 1st should double the harvest. Potato math, hahaha! Happy gardening

[@ricorodi]

Thanks for your comments. I don’t have gophers here. There are none on the island. I was going to plant two levels of seed potatoes all at once, not like you’ve described (waiting for level 1 to sprout before planting level 2). But that’s clever. I think I’m going to try both methods, side by side. Will reveal the results in 3 months. 🙂 Thanks again. 👍

[@rolloraul7283]

Excellent content and perfect length, thank you! I learned a lot.

[@ricorodi]

Glad it was helpful!

[@NaCreagachaDubha]

Thanks for the video!

[@ricorodi]

Thank you for watching 🙏

[@lifeof_sim]

Nice!!! Such a satisfying process

[@ricorodi]

Thank you 🙏

[@rebeccavanbrussel9460]

hey there friend, what great results... i did notice you used a determinate potato breed... so al the potatoes grew on one level... deep in the pots were you put the seed potatoes... whenever i plant determinate potatoes i will plant them on 2 levels in the soil... so the spuds will grow on 2 levels and more of your soil is being used instead of 2 thirds of the soil not being used... i do believe this would be a good strategy for an indeterminate breed... a main crop potato... they actually need hilling or in this case the adding of the soil as they grow in the pots and will make spuds all along the covered stem... cant wait to see what you will do next year... big hug and God bless ...

[@ricorodi]

Hi Rebeca. Thanks for your comments. I suspected that they were determinate, but couldn’t be sure. How do you tell the difference? On the varying levels, I have an experiment going right now which will prove your words true, I’m sure. I’ll show the results is a video, soon. God bless you too 🙂

[@freddieivory625]

Nice video!! Thanks for sharing

[@ricorodi]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching the video.

[@herrdave920]

Very helpful video, thanks man!

[@ricorodi]

Thank you. I’m glad you found it helpful 🙂

[@sonjadb]

Can't wait to see your next potato experiment.

[@ricorodi]

Me too but I’m struggling to find seed potatoes. It seems the season is over for potato farmers. Yet, it doesn’t affect me in the climate zone, because I can grow potatoes all year around. I may have to use regular potatoes, if I can find any that haven’t been treated with sprout inhibitors (that’s what supermarkets do). Thanks for watching 🙂

[@da1stamericus]

I just put in my potatoes ksst week in pots. I have ten pots fillrd with roughly four potatoes a piece. I am hoping its a good harvest too. Nice harvest.

[@ricorodi]

Excellent. Mine take about three months from planting to harvest. Let me know how your harvest turns out.

[@da1stamericus]

@@ricorodi i have early and late potatoes in. So I shall do this. :)

[@ricorodi]

Let me know how it goes 👍🙂

[@cesarrodrigues1874]

Fantastic mano ,watching that I think of Africa too ,think it will be amazing if we can spread that too poor people in more poor countries,it will show them they too can grow they own potatoes and food ❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍👍

[@ricorodi]

Yes. Even if you don’t have land, all you need is a sunny spot like a varanda or patio. And water. Potatoes need water. One can also always keep some of the harvested potatoes for replanting. They’re a great source of food.

[@freshyummyfoods]

Nice! In Virginia we get tons of bugs that eat the potatoes before they grow.

[@ricorodi]

Sorry to hear that. Do you mean that the plants don’t even get a chance to sprout or that they sprout but get eaten before they can grow?

[@withinhistoriesgrasp9307]

How much water did these take per bucket Would have and extra bucket with pebbles underneath filled with water made the watering situation easer And would any form of companion planting work with the potatoes either mixed in with the potatoes Or Put on a movable top bucket to give the righ plant combinations

[@ricorodi]

I watered with about 1 to 2 litres p/bucket every morning, depending on the weather. If the soil was moist, I’d skip a day. They like well-draining soil so the pebbles will help - I don’t use pebbles because I reuse the soil and removing them would be a pain for me.

[@ricorodi]

Regarding companion planting… I got an infestation of thrips the year before last and a combination of alyssum and fennel (has flowers like dill) PLUS a fortnightly spray of Sodium Bicarbonate + soap, helped to manage the infestation. The alyssum and the fennel flowers attracted predatory insects which feasted on the thrips. My last crop of potato plants were decimated (while in their prime) by an infestation of caterpillars. My next crop is getting a floating cover to deal with that problem. Incidentally, I think that’s why I got less potatoes with my last crop.

[@lynnlamont3485]

For just three containers you got 126 lbs?? Wow. I planted by in raised beds and very large pots...a lot of them. If mine do as as well I'll be canning some or sharing. I would keep a few to replant in the fall. 😊

[@ricorodi]

Hi Lynn. I got 12.6 lbs. Not 126 lbs. That would have been nice 😀. In a previous effort I managed to get over 7 lbs, just from a single container. So, I’m going to try replicate that with my next effort. Thanks for the comments and good luck with your potato harvest. Let me know how it turns out.

[@lynnlamont3485]

@@ricorodi That makes more sense.

[@shelbymays5741]

I just did the same thing! Planted four eyes in a large pot. Now I'm excited to see what I get!

[@ricorodi]

@@shelbymays5741 Excellent. Give it water, plenty of sunshine, and it should take about 3 months. Whoop 💪

[@sandravanover5999]

​@@ricorodi I've got some growing now in extra large container

[@gardeningwithleslieandalan1544]

Nice. Great idea and very interesting subject.

[@ricorodi]

Thank you 😊

[@djh-vevo8726]

i just want to know from this harvest can you grow it again and again for years or grow it once after buy seeds again

[@ricorodi]

I’m not sure I understand the question, but I will answer what I think you’re asking. These plants will all die and then I’ll harvest the potatoes. Then, I could keep some of the harvested potatoes as seed potatoes for the next crop, however I’d wait and go through the chitting process again. You can use the same soil again, but I would amend it first before replanting (enrich it with compost of fertilisers). Note: there is a higher risk of disease transmission every time you do that. If your potatoes develop a disease, then don’t use that soil again for potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, or aubergines. Add the soil to your compost heap (that will rid it of pathogens) or to other non-nightshade veggie beds. I hope that helps.

[@djh-vevo8726]

@@ricorodi thank you a lot for telling , i just want to tel here in algeria north africa we can't keep seeds we buy hybrid seed from companies like hzpc and agrico... We grow it for once or twice after the yeald will 2 potatoes per plant we don't have original and organic seed

[@ricorodi]

@@djh-vevo8726 Hi. It sounds like you grow potatoes from true potato seeds. I don’t. I grow potatoes from other potatoes. The term used is “seed potato” but it is not a true seed. It is just another potato. So, when I harvest potatoes, I keep a few back to replant. I have to wait for them to chit (grow sprouts - also called eyes). Once planted, each potato grows into another plant, which yields more potatoes (between 4 to 6 potatoes per plant). You say you buy the seeds from a supplier. That’s usually done by comercial farmers. I just have a small homestead, so I just use my own potatoes to make more potatoes. I hope this answers your question. Sorry it took me so long to reply. 🙂

[@djh-vevo8726]

@@ricorodi it's not from true seed but it is commercial seed from companies most of them from nederland and the commercial grower buy this kind of seed to grow big space but iam homestead grower and i have to buy what available and this kind of seed usally grow for once thats the problem because when this potatoes sprote and replant don't produce tubers again (i know you didn't heard about it befor) that why iam searching this kind of potatoed that you can regrow again, special like variety sarpo mira and charlotte i hope you understand me now

[@alysonrodrigues122]

Considerable potato harvest. Interesting experiment. Is the soil re-usable? Would you need to add anything to it if you were to plant another batch of seeds?

[@ricorodi]

Yea, the soil is reusable but it has to be “amended” (supplemented with compost or fertiliser). The exception is disease - if the potatoes develop blight or any other soil borne disease - you can’t reuse the soil for potatoes, but you can use it for anything else (except plants of the nightshade family).

[@ade-1772]

Great video and I use potato bags and they work well and I get enough to live off for free

[@ricorodi]

Well done. We get about 9 months coverage of potatoes. Hopefully we can get better this year. It’s good fun too. How big are your bags?

[@ade-1772]

@@ricorodi approx 18 inch square and about two 2 ft tall but if you fill to the top I will see this yr what I get but thanks for the reply and happy growing

[@ade-1772]

@@ricorodi And in the UK about 6 to 7 months if its a good yr

[@Soulfulsistaspace]

Awesome

[@ricorodi]

🙏

[@cutflower36]

Excellent! What kinda soil did you use? Or additive did yiu make ro the soil?

[@ricorodi]

I re-used the soil from the previous potato harvest, renewed with some compost, a balanced fertiliser (NPK 10-10-10), and perlite.

[@cutflower36]

@@ricorodi well done, thank you

[@elisacosta57]

Can you plant potatoes all year round or does it need to be in winter? Or you opt to do it in winter because of amount of rain...? Thanks!

[@ricorodi]

It depends on your climate’s hardiness zone. If you get frost, then no. In most areas, potatoes are seasonal cool weather crops. In my region (hardiness zone 11b) I get no frost at all and the weather averages between 16C and 26C. I could grow potatoes in the ground, and I have, but I prefer to grow them in pots because I can move them around all year, following the sun, as the seasons change. That enables me to grow potatoes almost all year.

[@ricorodi]

PS. If I grew them in them in the ground, I probably couldn’t grow them in January and February. Too exposed to wind a rain in those months. But the pots … I put them in a sunny, or shady sheltered corner. 🙂

[@elisacosta57]

Thank you so much for the answers, they are very useful!

[@raymondsims537]

how many seed potatoes per pot?

[@ricorodi]

It depends on the size of the pot. I normally use 4 for the large pots and 3 for the smaller pot.

[@robinnewmanburton]

My husband and I are about to ry this. I have a couple of questions. 1. Did you cut the potatoes in half beforeplanted them? 2. Did they have to have chittim or eyes before they were planted?

[@ruidadgmailcanada8508]

Best results with developing eyes. And the larger the eyes the better. You may cut larger potatoes as long as you have 3 good eyes on each piece and minimum of 100g each piece. Otherwise you sacrifice thriving with too small an initial piece. Hope that helps.

[@ricorodi]

That’s great news. 1. No. I didn’t cut them in half, unless they’re pretty big potatoes. If you do (cut them in half) you should dip the exposed fleshy bit in some type of ash to seal it off, before planting them. 2. I’ve always waited until they were chitting. Whether you plant them whole or cut them into smaller pieces, always plant the potato (or piece) with the shoot facing up. If your potato has more than one shoot, it’s not a problem. Face the bigger one up. Good luck and let me know how it turns out. 💪👍

[@angieperry154]

Can i plant whole white potatoes with No sprouts?

[@ricorodi]

@@angieperry154 Hi. No, I don’t think so, because there is no guarantee that they’ll grow into a plant. Try getting them to chit first and then plant them.

[@beverlylee6357]

Last summer I planted potatoes in pots. I planted about 3 medium potatoes per pot, and harvested 3 small potatoes total per pot after an entire summer...what did I do wrong :(

[@ricorodi]

🤔 There are 3 basic things my potato plants want. Regular watering, day long sunshine and good soil. It could be any of those things. How big were the pots?

[@beverlylee6357]

@@ricorodi They were those potato grow bags that I got off Amazon. I used new organic potting soil from the store, and they were watered daily in good sun :(

[@ricorodi]

@@beverlylee6357 There are two other important details. 1. Potatoes like water, but they don’t like soggy soil. It has to drain well. 2. Potatoes are heavy feeders and if not given the nutrients they need, yields will be low, and the tubers small. A good fertilizer for potatoes should have higher levels of potassium and phosphorus than nitrogen. A good ratio for a potato fertilizer would have the second and third numbers up to twice the size of the first, for example 5-10-10. Especially if you’re growing them in containers. Try again. 💪🙂

[@tradergirl7067]

did u fertalize.

[@ricorodi]

Apologies for late reply. I prepare the soil (before planting) with a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) or I use compost as an alternative. Then, give them a nitrogen boost about 4-6 weeks after planting, when the plants are about 6 inches tall - side-dress with a high-nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., 34-0-0). Try to apply it about 3 inches away from the plants (work it lightly into the soil). Don’t over-fertilize. That’s it.

[@MyChilepepper]

It would be nice to know how much it cost you to grow 12.6 lbs potatoes.

[@ricorodi]

🤔 it’s a good question, difficult to calculate but not impossible. The tricky part is that the harvest varies. I’ve achieved 23 lbs from the same pots. However, it’s not just about cost. Once we tasted these home-grown, chemical-free, potatoes we knew that buying potatoes in stores became a (very distant) second option.

[@alischannel6008]

Great video. how often do you water the containers?

[@ricorodi]

Thank you. My climate zone allows me to grown potatoes throughout the year. We have no frost. So, I keep the potato plants, always in the sun (that’s the advantage of having containers - you can move them around the garden). I water in the morning, every third day when it’s cold, every second day when it’s warm, and everyday when it’s hot. No tray under the pots - the water must run out.

[@alischannel6008]

@@ricorodi Thank you very much for the quick response. I will try it!!!

[@nancyhjort5348]

FYI your sound is too low. Thanks

[@ricorodi]

Oh? Second person who has said that. I’ll check it out. Thank you.

[@lynnewebb8881]

Fantastic how-to but please stop the annoying music. It's like someone humming non stop or drumming fingers during a conversation.

[@ricorodi]

Ok. I hear you. Thanks for the feedback. I’ll do something about the music in next video. I’m glad you liked the method.

[@chipsramek3868]

OK info and video ...AWFUL LOUD MUSIC was a big distraction.

[@ricorodi]

Got it 👍. Will do better next time. Thanks.

[@monkeybar88]

So...😅 go purchase in the grocery ❤

[@ricorodi]

Why? For nine months last year, we didn’t buy any potatoes. We harvested enough for our own consumption. We only purchase to top-up or for out-of-season produce.

[@markwilkinson6563]

Sort your mick out?

[@ricorodi]

@@markwilkinson6563 Yep. It is a problem. Am looking at another solution. Thanks.