Potato Barrels & Alternatives

I want to grow some potato's this year but I am limited in that I have no ground space really to grow them in.

On T&M's website they have potato barrels which I have also seen in Wyevale for �£30 but these look a little small. They also have potato tubs (3 for �£30) which would enable me to grow more but still seems a bit dear for what the actual materials are.

I know nothing is going to be as successful as growin in ground but instead of paying �£30 for either of the above would drilling drainage holes in plastic dustbins work? These are bigger and cheaper - the only downside I can think of compared to the others is actually getting the potato's out!!

Can anyone advise please.....I may just get the potato tubs but wanted some opinions

 

I am sure the plastic dustbins will be ok the only drawback is that you would need more compost to fill them. I have seen gardeners grow their potatoes in empty compost bags before today.

 

I know the potatos grow up in effect so do they need much compost underneath them then?

 

I grew some last year in old compost bags and was quite pleased with the results - I just added another layer of compost when the shoots came through

 

hmm interesting.....so you just put them at bottom and unrolled bag and topped up with compost as you went? Just discovered I must have registered twice on this forum(?!)

What did you use in way of feeding them?? Specialist fertiliser?

 

I think they did the potatoes in the compost bag thing on Gardeners world last year?? Put your seed spuds in the bottom with a bit of compost, top up as the shoots appear, etc....
In my children's book - they grow them in buckets.... you can pick up large builders buckets at B&Q & other places for about 99p - just drill a couple of holes in the bottom...

 

Old tyres are just the job.Stack 'em as high as the spuds will grow. A lick of paint and they look quite good...Try low profiles..they might grow quicker :D

 

I've planted them in any container I can lay my hands on, even empty compost bags! Size and space are the only governing factors.

[ 03. February 2006, 12:58 AM: Message edited by: michaelmasdaisy ]

 

Watering them enough was the problem we found. I suggest putting a plastic drain pipe down the centre of the barrel/bag/tyre mound etc and keeping it filled qith water. Drill 1/4 inch holes in the pipe first.

 

good ideas, good ideas!! Keep em coming!

 

Sounds like the strawberry planter I got a few years ago!!!