How to grow potatoes in a compost bag
Potatoes grow really well in large bags - find out how to grow them this way.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At its best | yes | yes | yes | yes | ||||||||
| To do | yes | yes | yes |
Growing your own potatoes needn't require lots of hard work and space in the garden. Any space will do - you can even grow potatoes on your patio or balcony by growing them in bags.
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.
Christmas offer
Gift a subscription to BBC Gardeners' World magazine and save 51% on the shop price.
Year Planner 2025 on sale
Starting to plan your gardening year? The Year Planner 2025 is packed with expert advice from the Gardeners’ World team, to ensure you have your best gardening year yet.
New podcast series
Join Monty and the team for advice on winter gardening, tulips, caring for birds, house plants and more in the new BBC Gardeners' World Magazine podcast series.
