Hey everyone! I can’t wait to tell you all about my experience growing potatoes in feed bags. I can’t wait to show you how easy it is to grow your own potatoes, even if you don’t have a traditional garden! It’s one of the best gardening hacks I’ve ever found.
Why Feed Bags Are Perfect for Growing Potatoes
Listen, I’ve tried many container options over the years, but feed bags have become my absolute favorite. Here’s why
- They’re usually FREE (who doesn’t love free stuff?)
- Super durable – these bags can last multiple seasons
- Built-in drainage through the woven material
- Easy to move around with those handy handles
- Perfect size for a decent potato harvest
- Totally reusable – just wash ’em out between seasons
What You’ll Need
Let’s gather our supplies before we get our hands dirty:
- Empty feed bags (chicken feed bags work great!)
- Seed potatoes
- Quality potting soil or compost
- Some basic tools (scissors or knife for drainage holes)
- A sunny spot
- Optional: straw for layering
Step-by-Step Growing Guide
1. Preparing Your Feed Bags
First things first, we gotta get those bags ready:
- Cut about 10-12 drainage holes in the bottom
- Roll down the top edge about 12-15 inches
- Find a sunny spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight
- Optional: Put some gravel underneath for better drainage
2. Choosing and Preparing Seed Potatoes
I’ve found that for each feed bag you’ll want
- 2-3 seed potatoes per bag
- Cut larger potatoes into pieces with at least one “eye” each
- Let cut pieces dry overnight to prevent rotting
3. Planting Process
Here’s how I do it
- Fill the bottom of the bag with about 4 inches of soil mix
- Place seed potatoes about 12 inches apart
- Cover with another 4 inches of soil
- Water well but don’t soak
Ongoing Care Tips
Taking care of your potato plants isn’t rocket science, but here’s what’s worked for me:
- Water every 2-3 days (more in hot weather)
- Add more soil or straw as plants grow
- Keep unrolling the bag tops as you add layers
- Stop adding layers when bag is full
Common Problems I’ve Encountered
Look, I’ve made some mistakes along the way, so learn from them:
- Overwatering – leads to rotting
- Not enough drainage holes
- Trying to cram too many seed potatoes in one bag
- Forgetting to add soil as plants grow
Harvesting Your Potatoes
The fun part! Here’s when and how to harvest:
- Wait for plants to die back (usually mid-late summer)
- Either dump the whole bag or cut it open lengthwise
- Dig through carefully to find all your taters
- Let them cure in a cool, dark place for 1-2 weeks
Pro Tips from My Experience
After growing potatoes this way for several seasons, here’s what I’ve learned:
- Using straw instead of soil makes the bags lighter
- Label your bags with planting dates
- Stagger plantings for continuous harvest
- Keep bags elevated off the ground
- Consider companion planting herbs around the edges
Benefits of Feed Bag Potato Growing
I gotta tell ya, this method has some serious perks:
- Perfect for small spaces or apartments
- No digging required
- Easy to monitor for pests
- Simple to harvest
- Can move bags to follow the sun
- Great for people with limited mobility
Alternative Uses for Feed Bag Growing
Don’t limit yourself to just potatoes! I’ve successfully grown:
- Bush beans
- Carrots
- Tomatoes
- Leafy greens
- Herbs
Final Thoughts
Growing potatoes in feed bags has been a game-changer for my urban gardening setup. It’s simple, cost-effective, and surprisingly productive. I’ve harvested up to 15 pounds of potatoes from a single bag!
Remember, gardening should be fun and experimental. Don’t be afraid to try different things and adjust based on what works in your space. And hey, if you mess up (like I have plenty of times), there’s always next season!
Now get out there and start growing some taters! And if you’ve tried this method before, I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below.
If you need me to explain something in more depth, let me know. I’m always happy to share more specific tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way!
What you Need to Grow Sweet Potatoes in Feed Bags Empty feed bag Small piece of window screen Potting soil Straw Sweet potato slips (you can buy them commercially, or see instructions below how to start your own)
- First, make the feed bag’s bottom flat so it sits flat on the ground.
- Then, roll the top of the bag down until it’s about a foot high.
- Next, make a few holes about 1″ in diameter in the bottom for drainage.
- Then cut a window screen piece to fit in the bag’s bottom. (This will help to keep the soil inside the bag. ).
- Finally, put about 4 inches of potting soil mixed with straw into the bag. This will keep the soil nicely aerated.
- It’s good for the potatoes to grow in the soil and straw mix.
Now you’re ready to plant!
How to Grow Sweet Potatoes in Feed Bags
I just start the potato slips indoors, then plant them in old feed bags repurposed into garden grow bags. At that point, I set the bags outside in a sheltered area that gets lots of sun.
I can them move them inside on cold days or at night, then move them back outside once it warms up.
And remember that the soil in your grow bag will likely be warmer than the ground soil, which is another benefit to growing in bags.
In short, I give the sweet potatoes exactly what they need in order to thrive. So don’t throw out your empty chicken feed bags!.
Here’s what else you’ll need to grow sweet potatoes.
Growing potatoes in feed bags!
FAQ
Can you grow potatoes in a feed bag?
However, there are plenty of foods that can grow in bags, like potatoes. You don’t need a real garden to grow up to 15 pounds of fresh, tasty potatoes. All you need is a spot that gets a lot of sun, like a patio or balcony.
How many potatoes can you grow in one bag?
We recommend planting three tubers in each growing bag. If you put too many plants in one bag, they will compete with each other and lower yields. Once all the tubers are planted, water the potting mix.
What month is the best month to plant potatoes?
I like to wait for the soil to warm up a little at which point they emerge quickly and grow steadily without stress. Late March to early May is a good time to plant potatoes in the northern states. In the warmer areas of the South they can be planted in late fall or early winter.
Can I grow potatoes in a 5 gallon grow bag?
Yes, you can grow potatoes in a 5-gallon grow bag. Potatoes, especially those with smaller tubers, thrive in containers like 5-gallon grow bags or buckets.