How Do You Plant Potatoes in a Pot

Planting potatoes in a pot is an effective way to grow these tubers even if you have limited space. With the right soil, pot, water, and sunlight, you can develop a bountiful harvest of potatoes in just a few months. Here's what you need to do:

Choose Your Pot

Select a pot that is at least 16 inches in diameter and 16 inches deep. A pot that size can hold up to six seed potatoes. You can use any type of pot, but make sure it has a drainage hole at the bottom to prevent waterlogging. The material of the pot doesn't really matter, but clay pots look better and keep the soil moist longer than plastic pots.

Select Your Soil

Since potatoes grow underground, you'll need a loose and well-draining soil to allow the tubers to expand without encountering resistance. If you're planting potatoes in a pot, use potting soil that contains peat moss, vermiculite, perlite, and compost. Fill the pot until it's 1/3 full.

Prepare Your Seed Potatoes

Seed potatoes are simply potatoes that you will plant in the soil to produce a potato plant. To prepare your seed potatoes, cut them into sections, each with two to three 'eyes.' Place them on a tray lined with paper towels and allow them to air-dry for a day or two. This will prevent rotting and ensure that the potatoes start to grow when you plant them in the soil.

Plant Your Seed Potatoes

Place each seed potato section on the soil, with the cut side facing down and the eye facing up. Spread the seed potatoes apart so they're not touching each other, and cover with soil until the pot is 2/3 full. Add more soil until the soil level is one inch below the edge of the pot. Water the soil until it's moist but not waterlogged.

Water and Fertilize Your Potatoes

Water your potatoes regularly to keep the soil moist but not soaking wet. Fertilize your potatoes with compost, manure, or organic slow-release fertilizer once a month during the growing season. Make sure to follow your fertilizer's instructions as too much fertilizer can burn your potato plants.

Harvest Your Potatoes

Your potatoes will be ready to harvest after two to three months. When the potato plants begin to die down, wait two weeks before harvesting to allow the potato skins to thicken up. Loosen the soil with a spade fork, then remove the potatoes from the soil with your hands. Store the potatoes in a cool, dark place until you're ready to eat them.

Planting potatoes in a pot is an easy and simple way to grow these delicious tubers. By following these simple steps, you'll be able to produce a bountiful harvest of potatoes in just a few months' time.