How to Grow Potatoes in a Planter On Your Patio or Yard

Determine the location for your planters. If planters are going to be on a raised deck or patio you may want to obtain some local earthworms to get and keep the composting process going.

Set up your planter at any time during the year. The potatoes will begin growing long before the plants poke their green tops our of the soil. The actual real growing won't happen till the soil warms in the spring. Since we are using organic compounds that will break down into wonderfully rich soil you will notice the level in your planter decrease, simply add more layers even if the plants are sprouting and growing.

Place a layer of newspaper or part of a feed sack into the pot to cover the drainage holes. This will hold in moisture in the beginning and invite the earthworms that are a vital part of the composting process that will be going on inside the planter to feed your potatoes.

Place a layer of grass or hay into the bottom of the planter mash it down well.

Add a layer of potting mix or aged steer manure or aged rabbit or horse manure over the layer of straw. If it is dry, you can use the hose to dampen it a bit with water.

Add a layer of shredded paper products. So called "slicks" are the shiny paper inserts that come with the junk papers in the mail; they decompose more slowly than newspaper or office paper, but any paper will do.

Place a layer of dirt over your shredded paper. Add your seed potatoes to this layer and cover with more dirt. Seed potatoes are any potato that is capable of growing sprouts or "eyes." You can cut your seed potatoes into sections that each have at least one eye or plant them whole. If you cut your potatoes let them dry out a bit before putting them into the planter.

Alternate layers again until the planter is filled to within 2 inches of the top rim. Water thoroughly. If you are adding earthworms you can do so at this time. If the planter is on the ground earthworms will find the wonderful organic goodies you left in there for them to eat. They eat decaying plant matter so they wont hurt your seed potatoes.

Let the planter dry out slightly between watering. An easy way to test is to see if the soil is damp 1 to 2 inches down; if so don't water.

Once the plants have died back to dried brown stalks in the fall, simply dump the pot contents and scoop out your potatoes.