How to Grow Container Gardening on Balconies, Decks and other small spaces?

HOW TO GROW CONTAINER GARDENING ON BALCONIES, DECKS AND OTHER SMALL SPACES?
Story by Phil Bakker


Containers of all shapes and sizes can be used to grow potatoes: pots, grow bags, tower gardens, pails and more. Potatoes like a combination of shade and sun so there are endless possibilities of where to place your containers. A deck, a balcony, or a patio are all perfect places to grow potatoes. Plus, the potato plants are attractive to look at and will add greenery to your spaces. Digging through a pot and unearthing those fresh nugget potatoes, with their delicate flavors and buttery texture, has become a highlight of my early summer!


Growing potatoes in containers also reduces pests and diseases plaguing your potatoes. Wire worms, garden slugs, and even the irritating Colorado potato beetle rarely cause problems to plants grown in containers. Using clean soil mixes in your container practically eliminates common scab - the small brown lesions found on the skin of the potato. Furthermore, the effects of blight on the plants is reduced because the potatoes mature faster in containers.


Container growing can be started indoors, while you patiently wait for the Canadian winter to lose its grip. As the plants start to grow, place the containers outside - but only when the risk of night frost has passed. Once outside, the heat of the sun on the container will warm up the soil faster. This results in accelerated growth of both the plants and the development of new potato tubers. This will shorten your growing season and is especially beneficial if your area is prone to blight.


CONTAINER GROWING STEPS


1) Use a mixing container or wheelbarrow to prepare your soil mix. Mix in nutrients / fertilizer according to the instructions on the package.
2) Fill the bottom 1/3 of your planting container with your new soil mix.
3) Lay your uncut seed potatoes on the surface of the soil spaced 8-12 inches apart, then cover the seed potatoes with 2-3 inches of soil mix.
4) Pack the soil lightly and give the container a good soaking of water.
5) Place container in an area where it will receive at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
6) Once the plants have grown 4-6 inches tall, add more soil mix around the plants. As the plant grows, continue adding soil until you have reached the top of the container. This process is called hilling up.
7) Continue watering your potato plants as they grow but avoid overwatering. The soil should be slightly moist but never overly wet.
8) When the potato plants have fully matured, they will start to ripen and turn yellow. It's time for harvest. Now dig through your pot and enjoy nature's bounty!


TIPS FOR GROWING POTATOES


1) Start by only using certified seed potatoes and green sprout (chit) the seed potatoes by exposing them to room temperature and light for 2-3 weeks. The sprouted potatoes will help with plant emergence.
2) Use fresh, clean potting mix. Try to avoid planting potatoes in used soil mixtures that have recently had potatoes in them before.
3) Potatoes require nutrition in the form of synthetic or organic fertilizers (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium). Consult your local garden centre for advice. You may use organic composts in your mix; however overuse can increase soil borne problems that may blemish the skin quality of the potatoes.
4) Ensure that the containers have drainage holes in them. The soil must be able to drain well.
5) Water often. Containers dry out faster than gardens adding heat stress to the plants if left unattended.


And that's it! No garden required. Digging through a pot and unearthing fresh nugget potatoes with their delicate flavors and buttery texture has become a highlight of my early summer. I want to invite you to share in this experience. If you are feeling adventurous this season and want to grow your own healthy crop of fresh potatoes, then the simplicity of growing in containers may be just what you are looking for. Fresh potatoes are fun, healthful and rewarding to grow, and above all else, delicious to eat and serve to friends and family.


Happy Growing!


Phil Bakker - Potato enthusiast and Founder of EarthApples. For more information and tips visit:
www.earthapples.com/how-to-grow/.