Potatoes are a type of root vegetable that has been cultivated for centuries. They are starchy and come in many varieties, making them versatile and generally beloved food. Potatoes require very little and are incredibly hearty, making them a perfect indoor plant. Growing plants indoors or in containers reduces the risks of pests, rot, and disease. Growing potatoes in a bucket is a good option for spuds.
Using a 5-gallon bucket and some soil you can keep growing potatoes year-round. Growing your potatoes in a bucket is perfect for those that don’t have enough outside garden space. In this article, we will be focusing on using 5-gallon buckets. You can scale up or down depending on your needs and space.
How to Grow Potatoes in a Bucket
Potatoes do extremely well when grown in containers. Make sure that the plastic is toxin-free and food safe. Do not use a bucket used for construction or industrial purposes. They can be purchased easily online or at many stores. Drill at least ten holes in the bottom as equally spaced out as you can, the more the better. Just don’t destroy your bucket, remember this will eventually be fairly heavy.
Mark the inside of the bucket at the 4” and 10” marks. Line the bottom of your bucket with sanitized rocks or sponges or an old t-shirt to stop a water table from forming on the bottom. While potatoes need to be kept moist they dislike being waterlogged.
To get your potatoes ready for planting place them in an empty egg carton. The process of sprouting is the same for the grocery store or seed potato. You can properly fit two potatoes per bucket. Leave the carton at a place with lots of direct sunlight for about a month. A window sill works perfectly. once the tubers have grown their roots to about an inch they are ready for planting.
Potato soil is simple. miz compost with potting soil. For perfect growth make sure the ph is between 4.2 and 7. Cover the bottom of the bucket with your premixed soil up to the 4” mark. Place your sprouted potatoes in the bucket and cover them to the 10” mark. Place the bucket with your potatoes in an area that is 50-70 degrees (60-70 is optimal). Water thoroughly. We recommend using large drainage dishes to stop water rot.
Keep your buckets moist but not swimming. Don’t let more than the top 2” from drying out. As your plant grows you’ll want to add more soil/compost mixture on top of the plant to ensure the entire plant is getting access to nutrients. Once the leaves get to the top of the bucket throw about 3” of soil mix on top and water. This is also important to stop the sunlight from turning your potatoes poisonous.
How long does it take to grow potatoes in a bucket?
Growing potatoes in a bucket is a great way to have fresh potatoes right in your own home. It is a relatively simple process, but it will take around 8-12 weeks to see results. Start by choosing a medium-sized potato variety that is well-suited for indoor growing. Place a few inches of well-draining soil in the bottom of a 5-gallon bucket and add a seed potato. Keep the soil moist and provide your potato plants with plenty of sunshine. As the plants grow, add more soil to the bucket to ensure the tubers remain covered. Once the foliage of the plant begins to yellow and die back, the potatoes are ready to harvest.
How many potatoes will a 5-gallon bucket yield?
With proper care, you’ll be surprised at what you get out of a 5-gallon bucket. With each plant producing around 10 potatoes, you can expect to harvest around 20 potatoes every 2-3 months.
How many pounds of potatoes can you grow in a 5-gallon bucket?
Potato weight depends on the variety but on average you can expect 2 lbs of potatoes. this is pretty amazing considering that you can keep growing them all year, harvesting 2 lb every 2-3 months. One potato plant can produce around 10 potatoes, sometimes more.
What month do you plant potatoes?
You can successfully grow potatoes indoors all year round as long as they aren’t getting too hot or cold. The ideal range is 60-70 degrees. If you are growing your potatoes outdoors in buckets, you can safely plant them after the last freeze. You can search your location here to find out exactly when you should plant potatoes.
When to Harvest
You can harvest potatoes when the plant starts to flower. If you harvest them when the plant starts to flower they will be smaller. Potatoes are best harvested when the foliage of the plant begins to yellow and die back. Harvesting at this time will provide the maximum yield per plant. You can also check the potatoes by gently digging around the plant and seeing if the tubers are large enough. Make sure to never eat green potatoes. These have been exposed to too much sunlight and are toxic.
Once the potatoes are ready to harvest, gently dig them up. Be sure to handle the potatoes carefully, as they are delicate and can easily be damaged. You don’t need any special equipment like trowels, you can just use your hands. This ensures the safety of the crop. Rinse any dirt and debris and dry. Keep them in a cool, dry area. Congrats you did it!
