How to Grow Potatoes in a Bag
The sides of the potato bag should be rolled down until about a third of the original height is reached. 10cm of peat-free compost is then added to the bottom of the bag. Three to five chitted potatoes are placed on the compost’s surface and covered with an additional 8-10cm of compost, followed by thorough watering. When the shoots reach approximately 8cm in height, they should be ‘earthed up’ by covering them with another 10cm of compost. This process is repeated every couple of weeks, with the bag gradually rolled back to its full height. This method prevents the potatoes from being exposed to light, which can lead to the development of green patches.
Choosing First Early Potatoes for Small Spaces
Growing a few vegetables is an exciting and fulfilling experience. However, when space is limited, careful consideration must be given to which crops are worthwhile in terms of effort and yield. First early new potatoes are an excellent option for small spaces. These varieties, known as first earlies, mature quickly, offering a faster harvest compared to other types.
Chitting Potatoes for Faster Cropping
The variety ‘Accent’ is ideal for this purpose. It is a first early variety and has been chitted, meaning it has been sprouted. The eyes on seed potatoes should always be sprouted for an earlier crop. It’s important to purchase seed potatoes that are guaranteed virus-free, rather than using potatoes that have sprouted under the sink. Chitted seed potatoes will crop faster than those planted with ordinary eyes.
Planting and Care Instructions
Planting can be done in January, February, or early March, with the earlier start leading to an earlier harvest. Potatoes can be easily planted in a bag or grow bags, which allow for earthing up as needed. To begin, a few inches of ordinary peat-free compost is placed in the bottom of the bag. The sprouted seed potatoes are spaced evenly, similar to the pattern on a five-dice face. Typically, five potatoes fit in the bag, though some people opt for fewer. Once placed, the potatoes are covered with another two to three inches of compost, ensuring the shoots are beneath the surface.
Providing Light and Shelter for Growth
The planted bag should be placed in a sheltered location with good light. A cool greenhouse, porch, or carport can also be used to accelerate growth. As the shoots emerge and reach about three inches in height, more compost is added to cover them. This process is continued until the compost has reached halfway up the sack, ensuring the tubers remain protected from light exposure, which would cause them to turn green and become inedible.
Harvesting Your Potatoes
After eight to ten weeks, the compost can be scraped away to reveal the potatoes underneath. It’s important to avoid over-harvesting too early, as small, tender new potatoes are the desired result. These can be enjoyed boiled with mint and butter, which makes the effort of growing them truly worthwhile.
