No garden bed? A large container or fabric grow bag can give potatoes the loose soil they need while keeping the harvest close to your patio.
Start with the right setup
Choose certified disease-free seed potatoes and a roomy container with drainage holes. Fill the bottom with several inches of quality potting mix. Set the seed pieces sprout side up, then cover lightly with more mix. Place the container where it receives at least six hours of sun.
Care through the season
Keep the mix evenly moist, never waterlogged. As stems grow, add more potting mix around them while leaving the upper leaves exposed. This keeps developing tubers covered; potatoes exposed to light can turn green. Check moisture often because containers dry faster than garden beds.
Harvest
For small new potatoes, gently feel around the plant after it flowers. For a larger storage harvest, wait until the foliage yellows and dies back, then empty the container carefully. Let potatoes dry and brush off loose soil before storing them in a cool, dark place.
Timing varies by climate and variety, so use your local U.S. Cooperative Extension planting calendar. Learn more from University of Minnesota Extension.
