Potatoes have a unique growing habit—the more soil you pile on top as the plant grows, the more potatoes the plant produces. Gardeners encourage potato plants to produce more by “hilling” soil into mounds over the plants or by planting them in containers that have room for soil to be added over the top, such as barrels, buckets, and stacked tires.

Grow bags are convenient for growing potatoes because they are easily moved around on a porch, patio, or deck. Bags have an advantage over buckets because the soft sides can be folded down initially to allow the plants to have exposure to sun. As the plants grow, the sides can be unfolded and more soil added on top of the plants. Potatoes prefer cool temperatures and should be planted in grow bags as soon as temperatures stay above freezing. Each plant will produce 2 to 4 pounds of potatoes.

Teri’s steps for grow-bag potatoes

1. Fold down the sides of the grow bag with the final fold just deep enough to hold sufficient soil to cover the seed potatoes.
2. Fill the base of the bag with a good potting soil mix.
3. Plant the seed potatoes in the soil with the “eyes” facing up.
   1. A 10-gallon bag will hold about 5 plants and produce 10-13 pounds of potatoes.
   2. Indeterminate varieties will distribute potatoes throughout the bag better than determinate varieties. Red varieties are mid-season (80-day) potatoes that produce well in a bag.
   3. As stored potatoes age, they begin to grow small sprouts known as “eyes” or “chits.” Small potatoes that have “chitted” can be planted whole. Larger potatoes can be cut into smaller pieces with an “eye” on each piece. Allow the cut pieces to dry for a day or two, so they will be less likely to rot in the soil.
4. Water deeply, not just the surface. The leaves will start to turn yellow if you over-water. Potato plants especially need to be fertilized frequently with nitrogen and potassium.
5. Place the grow bag in a sunny location that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight.
6. When the plants reach about 6 inches tall, unfold the bag and add more soil until just the tops of the plants are visible. Unfold the bag and add more soil as the plant continues to grow. Continue this process until the bag is full, and the plants can grow out the top.
7. Eventually the plants will grow tall enough to need a stake to keep the stalks from falling over and breaking.
8. Keep watering the plants until they produce flowers and then begin to turn yellow and die back.
9. When the stalks have died back, turn the grow bag upside down to dump out the soil and harvest the potatoes.
10. Allow newly harvested potatoes to dry for a day before placing them in storage.