Growing potatoes in a bucket started as a wild punt when my Utrecht garden ran out of room – turns out, you can harvest a stash of spuds from a 5-gallon pail! I’m no pro, but this trick has kept my kitchen stocked with homegrown taters through trial and error. Here’s my chaotic-but-effective method – dig in!
What You Need
Simple stuff – you’ve got this:
- Seed potatoes – 2-3 small ones, about 4 oz (113 g) total.
- A 5-gallon (19-liter) bucket – I snag mine from hardware stores.
- Soil mix – 2 gallons (8 liters) of potting soil with compost (2:1 ratio).
- Water – start with 1 cup (240 ml).
- A sunny spot – my balcony gets 6-8 hours of light.
How to Do It
Step 1: Prep Your Spuds
Grab small seed potatoes – 4 oz (113 g) with eyes sprouting. Cut them into 2-inch (5 cm) chunks if big, each with an eye – my first go was with store-bought ones that rotted, total fail. Let them sit a day to callus over – I skipped this once and got mush.
Step 2: Set Up for Growing Potatoes in a Bucket
Drill a few holes in your bucket’s bottom – drainage is key, or you’ll get swampy spuds like my first flop. Fill it 6 inches (15 cm) deep with soil mix (2 parts potting soil, 1 part compost), drop in your chunks eye-up, and cover with 3 inches (7.5 cm) of soil. Water with 1 cup (240 ml) – I overdid it once and learned fast.
Step 3: Layer and Grow
Place your bucket in sun – 65-75°F (18-24°C) is perfect. As sprouts hit 6 inches (15 cm), add more soil to cover halfway – I forgot this once and got tiny potatoes. Repeat 2-3 times till the bucket’s full. In cold zones, start in spring (April-May); warmer spots can try late winter (February). Try topping it with <u>Making Wild Garlic Pesto with Walnuts</u> later!
Step 4: Harvest Time
After 10-12 weeks when leaves yellow (June-July at 70-80°F/21-27°C), tip the bucket – my first haul was 1-2 lbs (0.5-1 kg)! Dry them a day at 60°F (16°C), then store – they last months if you don’t munch them first. I paired mine with <u>Growing Garlic from a Clove</u> for a killer combo.
Growing potatoes in a bucket is a space-saver’s dream – my balcony barely fits it, but I’ve got spuds for days now. It’s a fun, foolproof project – try it and dig up your own!
