Potato Grower Product Guide

GETTING STARTED: 

HOW TO SELECT AND PREPARE SEED POTATOES:

Purchase 'first early' seed potatoes from an online source or local supply store. First early potatoes are great for growing in small spaces and are ready to harvest in just 10-12 weeks. You will need to 'chit' your potatoes before planting. 

CHITTING:

Chitting is the process of encouraging seed potatoes to sprout before planting. Place the seed potatoes in trays or egg cartons with the end that has the most eyes facing up. Place in a cool, bright location until sprouts form. Seed potatoes are ready to plant when the sprouts have reached a length of 1/2 - 1".

 

Potato Grower Step 1

STEP 1: DRILL HOLES FOR DRAINAGE

When growing potatoes, drainage is critical to success. The outer pot has pre-marked circles for drilling; use these circles as a guide when drilling drainage holes in the bottom of the outer pot. Once drilled, the holes in the outer pot will match the holes in the inner pot. There will be 8 holes when completed. Use a sharp drill bit to avoid cracking the bottom of your pot.
Potato Grower Step 2

STEP 2: ADD SOIL

Fill the potato grower with approximately 3" of well-draining container garden soil.
Potato Grower Step 3

STEP 3: ADD SEED POTATOES

Place seed potatoes (sprouts up) on top of your soil. The potato grower can accommodate 1-3 seed potatoes depending on variety. Follow spacing instructions given by seed potato supplier.
Potato Grower Step 4

STEP 4: ADD MORE SOIL

Add approximately 3" of soil and water thoroughly. Your pot will be approximately 2/3 full. Leave the open space at the top to allow for new growth and for 'hilling' your potatoes.
Potato Grower Step 5

STEP 5: HILL YOUR POTATOES

Once the new growth reaches 4-5" high, it is time to 'hill' your potatoes. Hilling is the process of adding soil to layer the growth of potato plants. Fill the potato grower with soil, leaving approximately 1/2 - 1" of room at the top of the pot. 

HOW TO HARVEST:

 

Potato Grower Harvest



You can harvest new potatoes once the plants begin flowering. New potatoes are thin-skinned and do best if eaten right away. Gently dig around in the top layer of soil and pull out new potatoes. To grow a main crop through to maturity, wait until the plant shrivels up, stop watering, and harvest the potatoes a couple weeks later. Remove the inner bucket for easier harvest. Brush off dirt and leave to cure in a cool, well ventilated location for a couple of hours. Now the potatoes are ready for storage.

 

 

GENERAL GROWING REQUIREMENTS FOR POTATOES

(PLEASE REFER TO SUPPLIER INFORMATION FOR DETAILS ON YOUR SPECIFIC VARIETY):

LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Full Sun / 6-8 hours

TEMPERATURE
REQUIREMENTS:

Ideal: 60-70°F, can tolerate 50-80°F

WATER REQUIREMENTS:

Keep moist but not overwatered. Water at base of plant to prevent fungal growth on leaves.

NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS:

Feed with water soluable organic fertilizer once your potatoes have been hilled. Mix according to package instructions.

SPECIAL NOTES:

Do not allow potatoes to grow outside of soil, exposure to light while growing causes them to turn green and can be toxic if ingested.

 

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