Fancy homegrown potatoes, whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out? Hoss Tools shows us a convenient and rewarding way to cultivate delicious spuds right on your patio or balcony!
Choosing Your Root Pouch:
- Size is key! For optimal plant growth and harvest, choose a Root Pouch that accommodates the number of potatoes you want to grow. A 15-litre pouch comfortably houses 4 potato plants, while larger options like the 45-litre and 100-litre pouches can accommodate 12 and 20-24 plants, respectively. We recommend staying above 15 litres for healthy potato development.
Planting and Layering:
- Fill your Root Pouch with 10-15 cm of high-quality potting compost. Ensure your chosen location receives full sun.
- Plant your seed potatoes 15-30 cm apart and 8-15 cm deep. Gently press the potatoes into the compost.
- Lightly cover your potatoes with 2.5-5 cm of compost.
- As your potato plants grow, continue adding 2.5-5 cm of compost every few weeks, burying the exposed stems until the pouch is full. This process, similar to earthing up in traditional planting, encourages healthy root growth and tuber formation.
Feeding and Watering:
- For a 15-litre Root Pouch, mix ¾ potting compost with 5 cups of compost or worm castings and 1 cup of fertiliser before planting.
- Due to excellent drainage, Root Pouches may require watering every 2-3 days, or even daily in hot weather. Check the soil moisture regularly and adjust your watering frequency accordingly.
Harvesting:
- You can harvest potatoes at different stages depending on your preference.
- New potatoes: These are freshly formed potatoes harvested before full maturity. You can dig up a few for immediate enjoyment while allowing the rest of the plant to mature. Remember to carefully avoid damaging nearby potatoes and rebury the plant after harvest.
- Mature potatoes: When around 50% of the plant's top leaves die off and flowers drop, your potatoes are likely ready for harvest. Carefully dig up the entire plant, gently separate the potatoes, and spread them out in a single layer for curing.
Curing and Storage:
- Similar to onions, potatoes benefit from curing after harvest. This process allows the skin to thicken, heal minor blemishes, and prevent rot.
- Spread your potatoes in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight for 7-10 days.
- Ideally, store potatoes around 13°C. They can last for months under these conditions.
- Avoid warm temperatures as they can trigger sprouting, and discard any potatoes that turn green due to sunlight exposure, as this indicates the presence of solanine, a potentially harmful compound.
