Plant potatoes directly in a container as soon as possible they are cool season crop:
- Do not cut the potatoes you need to plant the whole tuber
- Choose a deep pot 16-20 inches across, make sure the pot has drainage holes
- Use a lightweight potting mix, do not use garden soil
- Fill the container with 4-6 inches of potting mix
- Place the whole potatoes 6-8 inches apart in the container and cover with 2-3 inches of soil and water well
- Plants emerge in 4-6 weeks
- When plants are about 5 inches tall fill the trench in covering the foliage except for the top two inches
- As the plants grow continue to fill the pot until the soil reaches the top of container
- Fertilize according to the directions on the fertilizer package
- Keep the soil moist, when you water some water should come out the bottom
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Harvesting
- Early Harvest: For new potatoes (small, tender potatoes), you can harvest once the plant begins flowering.
- Full Harvest: For mature potatoes, wait until the plants yellow and die back (around 10-12 weeks). To harvest, tip over the container and sift through the soil to collect your potatoes.