How to grow potatoes in a compost bag

Producing a healthy crop of potatoes in a bag, such as a compost bag, is much easier than you might think, and it's space-saving too. There's no earthing-up required, no digging and minimal mess. You can simply plant your seed potatoes in the bag, and wait for them to grow.

Plant potatoes in bags from February to April (depending on their type) for a crop between June to October. You can also plant successively to extend the harvest period.

You Will Need

• Large pot or old compost bag
• Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
• Chitted seed potatoes

Total time: 30 minutes

Step 1

Salad potatoes grow well in compost bags inside the greenhouse or in a frost-free part of your garden. Start by making drainage slits in the base of the bag with a knife.

Step 2

Remove half to two- thirds of the compost and put it aside to reuse later for covering the shoots as they develop.

Step 3

Bury two or three well- sprouted seed potatoes in the compost – any more and you’ll reduce the yield from each bag.

Step 4

Water well, two to three times a week, to ensure the compost never dries out. Once shoots break through, roughly every seven to 10 days, cover over with compost, until the bag's full.