Growing potatoes in a garbage can is an ingenious way to maximize your garden space and get a bountiful potato harvest. As an avid gardener and homesteader, I was thrilled when I first learned about this gardening hack. Potatoes take up a lot of real estate in a traditional garden bed, so being able to grow them vertically in a garbage can is a game changer. In this article, I’ll explain why garbage cans work so well for growing potatoes and walk you through the simple process step-by-step. Let’s get growing!
Why Choose a Garbage Can?
Garbage cans are ideal containers for growing potatoes for a few key reasons
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Depth – Potatoes form along the stems under the soil line. Garbage cans provide the deep space potatoes need to fully develop. A 20-30 gallon can gives potatoes 1-3 feet of depth for excellent tuber growth.
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Drainage – Potatoes need consistent moisture but not waterlogged soil. Drilling drainage holes in the bottom of a garbage can prevents stagnant water while still allowing watering from the top.
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Portability – The cylindrical shape and built-in handles make garbage cans easy to move You can relocate them around your yard to take advantage of optimal sunlight
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Insulation – The thick plastic or metal of a garbage can helps buffer soil temperatures. This protects potatoes from heat and cold extremes.
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Cost – Garbage cans are inexpensive and widely available. You can easily find them at hardware stores, dumpsters, and recycling centers.
Getting Started with Materials
Growing potatoes in a garbage can is simple with just a few supplies:
- 20-30 gallon plastic or metal garbage can
- Seed potatoes
- Potting soil
- Compost or fertilizer
- A drill with 1/4 inch drill bit (for drainage holes)
I recommend using a plastic can since the galvanized metal in some metal cans can leach into the soil When selecting your seed potatoes, opt for mid-late season varieties ideal for container growing like Yukon Gold, Red Pontiac, and Russet Purchase certified disease-free potatoes from a garden store.
For best results, fill your can with a 50/50 mix of high quality potting soil and compost or fertilizer. The potting mix will provide drainage and nutrients while the compost feeds soil microbiology and health.
Step-by-Step Planting Instructions
Once you have your materials, follow these simple steps for planting:
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Thoroughly scrub and clean your garbage can if pre-used.
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Drill 10-12 holes evenly spaced around the bottom for drainage.
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Fill can 3/4 full with potting soil mix.
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Plant seed potatoes 6-8 inches deep, spaced 8 inches apart. Place 4-6 potatoes per 20 gallon can.
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Cover potatoes fully with 4-6 inches of additional potting mix.
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Water soil thoroughly after planting and cover can with a solid lid to retain moisture.
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Place can in a sunny spot. Potatoes need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
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Add 4-6 inches of potting mix when sprouts are 6 inches tall. Stop when can is full.
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Water soil consistently to keep moist. Let soil dry between waterings.
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Harvest potatoes when vines start dying back in summer or fall.
It’s that easy! Just plant, water, wait and harvest. The closed environment of the garbage can mimics the ideal growing conditions potatoes love.
Ongoing Potato Care
Potatoes are pretty low maintenance but they do need a bit of care for optimal health:
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Sunlight: Rotate your can to encourage even growth. Move to a sunnier location if needed.
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Water: Water whenever the top few inches of soil are dry. Avoid overwatering.
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Fertilizer: Add general purpose fertilizer or compost tea monthly.
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Ventilation: Crack lid or remove completely on hot days to prevent overheating.
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Pests: Check under leaves for aphids or potato beetles. Remove by hand or use organic remedies.
With proper sunlight, ventilation, water and nutrition your potato plants will thrive! Be diligent against pests and disease. Your care and maintenance makes a big difference in your final potato yield.
Harvesting a Bountiful Crop
The best part of growing potatoes in a garbage can is the harvest! Follow these steps for maximum spud yield:
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Allow potato plants to die back entirely. This signals maturity.
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Hold off watering for 1-2 weeks before harvesting to help mature potatoes.
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Dump out can contents onto a tarp. Dig through to find your crop.
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Gently brush soil off potatoes but don’t wash them.
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Cure potatoes by storing in a dark, dry spot for 1-2 weeks. This toughens skins.
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Store cured potatoes in a cool, dark place. They will keep for months.
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Enjoy your harvest! Boil, bake, fry or roast your fresh potatoes.
With the right care and timing, you can get up to 10 pounds of potatoes from a single garbage can! Vertical gardening at its finest.
More Tips and Tricks
Here are some additional garbage can growing tips:
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Stagger planting 2 cans by 2-3 weeks for multiple harvests.
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Mix in crushed eggshells to prevent scab disease.
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Use a compost/soil thermometer to monitor temperatures.
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intersperse soil layers with coffee grounds for added nutrients.
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Grow different potato varieties in separate cans.
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Let soil dry out more as plants mature to concentrate flavors.
Don’t be afraid to get creative and try new techniques each season. Part of the fun with garbage can gardening is refining your methods. With a little practice, you’ll discover the ideal approach for your specific needs and environment.
How to grow potatoes in a trash can or barrel:
I used a plastic trash can tucked away in the corner of our garden. You can also use a metal trash can or a barrel. I cut the bottom off our trash can, because that’s what I was told Great Grandpa did, so he could lift the trash can up and the potatoes and dirt and potatoes came out the bottom. This worked well for me, but most people just drill holes in the bottom for drainage.
Plant potatoes about 2 weeks before your anticipated last freeze date. If you don’t know when that is, check here: National Climate Data Center, select your state and look for your city.
Buy seed potatoes online or at your local garden center. Cut off the eyes, along with a portion of the potato. Do not cut the potato smaller than a quarter of its original size. Allow to dry for 1-2 days before planting.
Drill holes in the bottom of a 20-32-gallon plastic trash can. Or, like me, you can cut the whole bottom off.
Place the trash can in sunny location (needs sun 6-8 hours per day).
Mix compost, potting soil (worm castings are awesome for this), and sand together. Fill the bottom of the trash can about 6 inches deep.
Place 3-6 potato pieces, cut-side down into your trash can on top of your soil mix.
Add 3-4 inches of soil mix on top of your potato pieces and water until the soil is damp, not soggy.
As your potato plants grow, add 3-4 inches of soil mix for every 7-10 inches of growth. Keep watering. Do not cover the leaves with soil. The plants will continue to grow new underground stems with potatoes attached.
When your trash can is full of soil and the green stems are sticking out of the top, keep an eye on them and continue to water them.
The tops of the plants will start to flower, then shortly after the plant will start to wilt. Stop watering them at this point. This allows your potatoes to mature and takes about two weeks.
The tops will continue to wilt, turn yellow and dry. It’s time to harvest your crop.
Harvest as soon as you can. If you wait too long, the potatoes may start to dry out and wither.
To harvest your potatoes, tilt your trash can or barrel over onto a tarp or large trash bag and dig through the dirt to gather your potatoes.
After harvesting, leave your potatoes outdoors for about an hour to dry. After they are dry, you may brush off the bigger pieces of dirt with a soft cloth, but do not wash your potatoes with water until you are ready to use them.
If possible, allow them to “cure” for about two weeks in a dark place that is 55-60 degrees F and about 80 to 95 percent humidity. This allows any bruising or cuts from harvesting to ‘heal.’
Store your potatoes in a dark, cool (40 degrees F is ideal), dry (moderate humidity) place with good ventilation. Store them in slotted baskets or bins. Do not pile them more than 6-8 inches high to avoid bruising.
Check them frequently and remove any that are rotting. A root cellar or cool basement is a good place for this. If you meet these storage requirements, your potatoes can be stored up to eight months, in some cases.
Experience the fun of trash can potatoes!
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If you’d like to grow potatoes but don’t want to devote an entire garden bed to them, try growing them in containers! Trash cans are deep enough containers for potatoes, so they’re the perfect solution.
Potatoes can take up too much space in small gardens, so planting them in a large container is a great idea. Here are the steps to growing potatoes in a trash can. Experience the fun of trash can gardening with Janice Stillman, former editor of The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
How to Grow Potatoes in a Garbage Can
FAQ
Can you store potatoes in a metal garbage can?
No, you should not store potatoes in a metal container. Metal can promote moisture buildup, leading to spoilage.Aug 23, 2024
Do potatoes grow well in 5 gallon buckets?
Individual potato plants should be grown in at least a 2.5-gallon bucket, or you can grow two plants in a 5-gallon bucket.Apr 27, 2024
Can I grow potatoes in a plastic bin?
You can use any large container, provided you drill drainage holes into the bottom. I use plastic storage bins because they’re lightweight and inexpensive.
Can I grow potatoes in a metal container?
Just about any container will work for potatoes, from plastic and metal trash bins to fabric grow bags and wooden crates. Even old tires will work by stacking them as the plants grow.