Potato grow bags have become an increasingly popular gardening tool for home gardeners looking to grow potatoes in a small space. But do these fabric potato planters actually produce a good potato harvest? In this comprehensive guide we’ll take an in-depth look at potato grow bags to find out if they really deliver on their promises or not.
What are Potato Grow Bags?
A potato grow bag is a type of gardening bag made from breathable fabric that allows you to easily grow potatoes in a container instead of directly in the ground
The bags are cylindrical in shape, around 2 feet wide and 1-2 feet tall typically. They are designed specifically for cultivating potatoes.
Some key advantages of potato grow bags include:
-
Take up very little space – can be used even in small gardens or patios.
-
Require no digging – simply plant the seed potatoes and let them grow.
-
Easy harvest – just tip the bag over and pick up mature potatoes.
-
Reusable for several seasons.
-
Higher yield potential than regular pots.
The breathable fabric helps provide ample drainage and air circulation around the potato plants while also giving the spuds room to size up. The bags retain moisture and nutrients well for developing the potatoes.
How Well Do Potato Grow Bags Work?
The critical question is whether these bags can actually produce a good quantity of potatoes for your harvest. Or are they just a gimmick?
The consensus from most gardeners who have tested out potato grow bags is that yes, they can absolutely generate a substantial potato yield!
According to potato grow bag manufacturers, you can expect to harvest around 10-15 pounds of potatoes per bag on average, depending on the variety grown. Of course, your individual results may vary based on your specific growing conditions.
Many home gardeners who have evaluated potato grow bags report excellent results:
-
“I got over 13 lbs of potatoes from my single grow bag last season!”
-
“From my 3 potato bags I harvested about 40 good sized potatoes. I was very happy with them.”
-
“We got at least 10 lbs per bag. Very impressed and will use again.”
-
“They produced way more than I expected for the small space they take up.”
However, success with potato grow bags depends on several key factors:
-
Using a high quality potting mix – A sterile, well-draining medium is best to avoid disease.
-
Watering – Potatoes in bags dry out faster than in the ground. Consistent moisture is vital.
-
Sun – Bags need at least 6 hours of direct sun per day.
-
Fertilizing – Applying a balanced organic fertilizer helps maximize yield.
-
Varieties – Some potato varieties fare better in containers than others.
-
Overall care – Following best practices for growing helps boost success.
Tips for Using Potato Grow Bags
If you want to try growing homegrown potatoes from fabric grow bags, here are some useful tips:
-
Place bags in full sun. Allow at least 2 feet between bags for airflow.
-
Use a high quality potting mix, not standard garden soil.
-
Space seed potatoes 8-12 inches apart in a bag. Plant 2-5 tubers per bag.
-
Check soil moisture daily. Water when the top few inches become dry.
-
Use a balanced organic fertilizer once foliage appears.
-
Hill up additional soil/mulch around plants as they grow taller.
-
Allow foliage to fully die back before harvesting potatoes.
-
Gently tip bags over and pick out mature potatoes.
-
Cure freshly dug potatoes before storing long term.
Best Potato Varieties for Grow Bags
You’ll get the highest yields from compact, early maturing potato varieties specifically bred for container growing. Top options include:
-
Yukon Gold – Classic yellow potato perfect for bags.
-
Red Gold – Red skin, yellow flesh. Thrives in containers.
-
French Fingerling – Small, tasty fingerling potato. Prolific in bags.
-
Ruby Lou – Red potato known for vigor and high container yields.
-
Viking Purple – Purple skin, white flesh. Abundant tubers.
-
Carola – White round potato excels in containers.
-
Swift – Very early yellow potato great for grow bags.
Avoid large, late maturing varieties as they require more space than grow bags allow. Focus on compact, early potato types.
The Verdict on Potato Grow Bags
When used properly, potato grow bags can absolutely generate substantial yields of homegrown potatoes without requiring a traditional garden plot.
With the right growing conditions, planting early container varieties suited for bags, maintaining adequate moisture, and following other best practices, potato grow bags are an excellent option for easily cultivating your own spuds in a small space.
Have you tried harvesting potatoes from grow bags? Share your experience and thoughts in the comments!
Step 3: Find a Sunny Spot and Soil
After the last frost in spring, set the bag in your sunny spot—it will be too heavy to move once it’s positioned. Fill the bag with a mix of compost, or a mixture of potting soil with coir (the fibrous by-product of coconut processing), or some peat to about 4 inches deep. Dampen the mix but don’t soak it.
Step 2: Bag it Up
Get a fabric bag. You can use an ordinary burlap sack or a “grow bag,” a sturdy, woven container sold by many garden centers or online garden suppliers. Choose one that holds about 50 quarts of soil.
THIS VEGETABLE can keep YOU ALIVE! Potato Grow Bag Results!
FAQ
Do potatoes grow well in grow bags?
If you’ve got a spot that gets a lot of sun (yes, even a patio or balcony will do), you can grow up to 15 pounds of fresh, delicious potatoes to enjoy — without a real garden! We’ve got a few tips to show you how easy growing potatoes in a bag can be.
How many potatoes can you get from a grow bag?
You can plant between 5 and 7 potato seeds in a 20-gallon bag. Each seed can yield you from 3 to 6 potatoes depending on how many eyes it has to sprout from.
What are the disadvantages of grow bags?
- You need to water more frequently: Since the grow bags are porous, water leaves them quickly, and you’ll find that you need to water grow bags more frequently than plastic pots. …
- They aren’t as durable: Other pots may last many years up to a lifetime.
How long do potatoes take to grow in a potato bag?
So, chit your potatoes. They’re going to take a good month, six weeks for those sprouts to come up. So you can start some January, February, early March.Mar 20, 2020
Should you grow potatoes in a grow sack or bag?
It’s time to take the plunge. There are many advantages to growing your own potatoes in a grow sack or bag. A potato grow bag takes up less space, doesn’t depend on good soil in your backyard, and makes those spuds easier to harvest. Best of all, it’s easy: all you need is a sunny corner, a grow bag, compost, and seed potatoes.
Can you grow a potato tuber in a grow bag?
Any container that serves to hold soil or other potting medium around a potato tuber will grow that tuber. It doesn’t matter if it’s a polyester fabric grow bag, or a giant clay flowerpot, or a 5 gallon utility bucket, or a mop pail, it will work. What grow bags have over 5 gallon utility buckets or flowerpots is mainly trendiness.
Can you grow potatoes in a repurposed bag?
While growing potatoes in a bag that you’ve repurposed is a great low-cost way to grow your own harvest of potatoes, a specialist potato grow bag can maximize the quantity and quality of your crop. ‘As the roots grow and reach the side of the pot, the fabric causes the roots to stop growing, essentially killing the tips of the roots.
What types of bags are suitable for growing potatoes?
There are several types of bags that are suitable for growing potatoes, including grow bags, hessian sacks, burlap sacks, and sturdy rubble bags. Grow bags are specially designed for growing plants and are made from a durable, breathable material. They come in various sizes and are suitable for growing potatoes.
How do you harvest potatoes from a grow bag?
Harvesting potatoes from a grow bag is easy. Wait until the leaves turn yellow and start to die back, then gently dig through the soil to find the potatoes. Alternatively, wait until the plants have completely died back and then dump the bag to harvest all the potatoes at once.
Can you use plastic sacks to grow potatoes?
Plastic sacks – like those used to sell compost – are a great option in which to grow potatoes. Reusing the bags in this way will recycle them and give them a life beyond their original usage. They will also still be able to reused for several years.