How to Grow Potatoes Above Ground With Bed Fencing

Growing potatoes in a small space is an interesting problem. The solution is simple: grow up, not out, with a potato tower. There are a number of methods such as stacking old tires; however, most take up more space than a homeowner or urban gardener is willing to sacrifice. By using four stakes, a roll of reed flower bed fencing and zip ties, you can quickly and easily construct an attractive and space-saving tower in a sunny corner of the yard or patio.

Measuring tape
Shovel
Compost
Seed potatoes
4 stakes, 4 feet long
Hammer or sledge
Roll of reed fencing, 3 to 4 feet tall
Wirecutters
Zip ties
Straw
Scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Dig an 18-by-18-inch-square planting hole, 12 inches deep. Mix the excavated soil with equal parts compost and replace in the hole. Set aside the excess soil.
- 2
  Pound a stake 12 inches into the ground in each corner of the planting bed.
- 3
  Arrange four to six seed potatoes on top of the soil. Press firmly onto the soil but do not cover.
- 4
  Roll out the reed fencing on a flat surface. Measure and cut a 6-foot, 6-inch length, snipping the wire with wire cutters.
- 5
  Wrap the reed fencing around the stakes, attaching it with zip ties at the top, middle and bottom of each stake. Overlap the end by a few inches and secure with zip ties.
- 6
  Add the reserved soil, pouring it into the potato tower to cover the seed potatoes. Add 2 inches of straw to cover the soil. Water thoroughly.
- 7
  Add more straw to the potato tower with each 4 to 6 inches of potato vine, so only the top leaves peek out of the straw. Continue covering the vines with straw as they grow until the tower is full of straw or the vines begin flowering.
- 8
  Water regularly so the tower stays evenly moist but not soggy. Hot weather and wind will dry out the potato tower rapidly; it may require watering daily.
- 9
  Fertilize with 10-20-20 fertilizer at planting, then every other week until the potato vines flower. If you are growing organic potatoes, use an organic fertilizer or compost tea.
- 10
  Harvest 10 days after the vines turn yellow and die back. Snip the zip ties with scissors and remove the reed fencing. Sift through the straw and remove the potatoes. Store in a paper bag in a cool location such as a garage.
- 11
  Roll up the reed fencing and pull up the stakes. Store in the garage or shed until spring.

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