How to Grow Potatoes in a Bucket

Growing potatoes in a bucket is a good idea if you do not have an in-ground garden or if you just want to grow potatoes the easy way! You may grow more than 20 pounds of potatoes in a container as small as a 20 gallon trash can.

Things You'll Need

• Trash can (20 gallon or more is best)
• Drill
• Drill bit to drill 7/8 inch holes
• potting medium
• potatoes

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Instructions

• 1

  Start by drilling holes in your bucket. Drill the holes about two inches from the bottom of the container on the side of the container at least six inches apart. You'll want to be sure the holes are spaced properly so that the container for growing potatoes does not crack or collapse.

• 2

  Cut the potatoes if they are big. Make sure each piece has at least 3 eyes on it. If your potatoes are less than 2 inches long, do not cut them. If the potatoes are large, cut them in halves or quarters and set them in a well-ventilated area while filling the bucket with potting medium.

• 3

  Potting medium is necessary to grow potatoes in a bucket. You can use garden soil, potting soil, pure compost, or a combination of peat moss, wood chips, compost, and perlite. You'll want to be sure your potting medium, whatever you choose, will allow for enough aeration so that the soil does not become compacted. Put about 4 to 6 inches of potting medium into your bucket.

• 4

  Move the trash can to its permanent location. Try to allow for at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. The water draining from the drainage holes near the bottom of the potato bucket will be dirty, so be sure to place something under the potato bucket to contain the mess, if necessary. You can carefully place the trash can on top of its lid, or you can use a large plastic tote lid. If you have a large enough plant saucer, put that under the potato bucket.

• 5

  Ensure that your potting medium is sufficiently moist, not too wet, before planting the potatoes. The potting soil should be damp like a sponge but not sopping wet.

• 6

  Place the potatoes into the bucket. For a 20 gallon trash can, 2 to 3 potatoes or potato pieces will suffice. Put the potatoes eye-side up in the container and cover lightly with potting medium, no deeper than two inches.

• 7

  Keep your potting medium moist, but do not over water, during the growing season. When your potato plants gets about 4 to 6 inches tall, put more potting medium over it- totally bury it. Continue burying your potato plants until your container is full. When your potato plants turn brown, you may harvest the potatoes. For information on harvesting potatoes in a bucket, see resources, below.