using a composter as a potato barrel

i have a composter which is not used at the moment.can i use it as a potato barrel?when and how do i start it off?

 

sounds like a great idea to me just so long as you can easily open it to get to the potatoes. bear in mind if its a big composter then your going to get a lot of spuds at the same time! if you do use it make sure you disinfect it you don't know what might be lurking in there!

 

the composter is brand new.do i still need to disinfect it.we always buy a sack of potatoes at a time so should i harvest all in one go and bag them up.there is a hatch at the front so i may be anle to scoop some spuds out from the bottom as required.

 

oh thanks 4 the reply 1st time i have used gardeners corner.

 

Nice idea, let us know if it works.

 

its best to do them all at once really, if its brand new still clean it, just to be certain, what i do is potatoes in pots. bucket size (holes in bottom) put the spuds in (about 5) then cover i soil/compost. when they start showin add a bit more soil, carry on doing this as if you were 'earthing up' potatoes in the ground. then simply tip out when your ready to harvest. simple and i always get a great crop.

 

with regards to harvesting, if there is a little hatch at the base, i d tend to try harvesting new potatoes thru the season, having planted second earlies in the bin
i d continue to buy my maincrop potatoes . as they will store while i am not sure that your barrel spuds will keep, and you need a maincrop variety for bulk, keep adding fresh compost in the top as tho "earthing up"

 

thanks 4 the replies everyone.this is great.iwish i had known about this site when i had an allotment.do i wait 4 the normal potato seasons to begin or can i start this project sooner?thanks again.

 

What a terrific idea! I have an open bottomed composter that's standing idle - definitely have to try this!

 

Bexonator. Are you losing sleep worrying about this? I see your last post was at 3:41 am
:eek: :eek:

 

Not losing sleep over this.Body clock out of sync.Its just that when you pose a question its nice to see how thread develops.I will convert my empty composter into a potato barel and let everyone know how it develops.It will probably take 12 months to fill up the composter i am using 4 compost so i will always possibly have 1 bin emty.The bins by the way were from leicestershire county council for �£5 each.they normally sell apparantley 4 �£30 each.if all goes well a good investment.

 

Great minds!!!! We have a spare composter too, which we got from our local council (�£3 also!!) and what did we do yesterday???? Saw some seed potatoes in the garden centre - and got a few...... can't wait..... mind you, I'll probably end up killing them!!!!