While The Girl Who Thinks She’s A Bird and I were at the Seattle Tilth Plant Sale this past weekend, we noticed a vendor selling burlap sacks. The vendor had quite the crowd, and so I stopped and listened. Basically he was selling the bags as eco-friendly planters and mentioned something about using the bags to plant potatoes in.
I thought it was a very clever idea and purchased 3 bags. 1 to use as a planter and 2 to use at the end of the season to store potatoes in. The bags ran $1 for plain bags and $3 for the art bags.
After doing a little on-line research, I determined the best way to do this was to pick a spot in the yard where the potato bags could sit undisturbed for the entire growing season I then filled a bag with a 3 inch layer of dirt.
I then made sure the burlap bag was level after placing dirt inside, and then added 5 seed potatoes.
Finally, the seed potatoes were covered with about 5 inches of soil and then watered from the top. Once the potatoes break through the first layer of dirt, I will continue to add more soil, 5 inches at a time, until the bag is about 3/4 full {and watering when necessary of course}. Then, towards the end of the summer when the potato leaves die back and turn yellow, I’ll have the Handsome Husband break the bag open and collect the loot.
Wahooo! I’m really excited to try this growing method. Have you tried this before?
How will you be growing your potatoes this year?
In the ground? In a tower? In a burlap bag? Some other method?
Leave a comment below so we can all learn from each other.
If you would like to learn more about growing potatoes in your own backyard, check out The Complete Book of Potatoes: What Every Grower and Gardener Needs to Know
Go HERE to buy burlap bags.
Dawn McCloskey says
I actually had some come up this year that were unexpected and I had to transplant them to another area as I had already planted my peas and snap peas in that area. I think the owner of the house threw them in the garden last year (we moved in in August) and I ended up with these plants growing. On closer inspection [as I never pull up anything without figuring out if it is a weed or a new gift the birds have deposited :-)] I found the starts of little baby potatoes sprouting off the start. What a pleasant surprise. I think next year though, using of course all of your great ideas, I will be planting in different areas to create more growing space. Sure still wish I had your greenhouse to do my starts though 🙁 My counters get a bit crowded with my starts. I have some in the windowsill as we speak that will need to be transplanted this week. Thank goodness the weather has finally started to warm up and things are growing. It was slow going when I first started the garden. I even had to replant my squash, it didn’t like the cold. Live and learn~ Thank again for all your great tips!
Krista says
Oh how cool! Man, I learn something new from your blog almost every day. I am definitely going to give this a try sometime.
Demarie says
Think this would work on cement porch? Hmmm…
Dawn says
I live in north central Kansas and planted 4 seed potatoes in a 13 gallon trash can in my undersized backyard in late march. The plants have already grown over the top and I have added all the dirt I can!!
Mavis says
Holy cow! You grow girl!
Tali says
I wonder if the grocery store might have those bags for free….I think they get some produce delivered in them…I will ask next time I go in….:)
Chris Rosenquest says
This is a great example of how folks use these bags. Thanks for coming to Tilth and for stopping by the booth!
Other examples include:
– Burlap “barrel” planters: roll mesh and stick it into a bag. Fill the bag with soil and start planting. It’s a great way for folks who don’t have a lot of garden space a way to grow their own
– Sheet mulching: Like a big blanket, burlap can help insulate your mulching recipe helping you get your soil prepared for the next planting season
– Upcycled products: If you’re handy with a sewing machine, burlap is a great and durable material for making products from.
In addition to burlap bags, we have coffee chaff that can be used as coop bedding and soil amendment. We also provide custom sized bags for special events and uses.
Chris R.
Owner
chris@seattleburlap
sharon says
Mavis,
How did the potatoes do in burlap? I was thinking this might be a good option for me. I have search through your website & couldn’t find a comment how they did. Thank you!
Mavis says
Bomb! I’m not if it was because I didn’t water enough or what, but I would not do it again.
David says
Hi-
I just ‘thought’ of this, googled & found your experience here..
-how did it “bomb”?
-did it dry out too quickly between waterings?
-would it be better to start sprouts/eyes indoors and cut slits in a bag and let them ‘take off’ from there?
-any other plants that this concept may work with?
>quite enthused about the concept.. (I’d seen the “bushel basket planters” where someone succeeded; though those baskets may give 2 years before giving out, are still pricey)
Let us know what the downside was for you–
-one to grow upon–
Thanks!
Maria says
I would like to know too.