Sweet potatoes are easy to grow in your garden and despite what you might think, you don’t need lots of space to grow them.
As a matter of fact, my favorite way to grow sweet potatoes is in an old chicken feed bag right on the back patio or on the deck.
When we first moved to Maine from Virginia, I wasn’t certain I could grow sweet potatoes. I knew I could grew white potatoes, because in fact Northern Maine is a high producer of potato crops. But sweet potatoes arent terribly cold tolerant and the plants are far more fragile than regular potatoes.
However, once I stumbled upon the idea of growing them in feed bags, I realized that growing sweet potatoes in Maine is absolutely doable.
Hey there! I’m super excited to share with ya’ll my experience growing potatoes in feed bags. It’s honestly one of the most satisfying gardening hacks I’ve discovered, and I can’t wait to show you how easy it is to grow your own spuds, even if you don’t have a traditional garden!
Why Feed Bags Are Perfect for Growing Potatoes
Listen, I’ve tried many container options over the years, but feed bags have become my absolute favorite. Here’s why
- They’re usually FREE (who doesn’t love free stuff?)
- Super durable – these bags can last multiple seasons
- Built-in drainage through the woven material
- Easy to move around with those handy handles
- Perfect size for a decent potato harvest
- Totally reusable – just wash ’em out between seasons
What You’ll Need
Let’s gather our supplies before we get our hands dirty:
- Empty feed bags (chicken feed bags work great!)
- Seed potatoes
- Quality potting soil or compost
- Some basic tools (scissors or knife for drainage holes)
- A sunny spot
- Optional: straw for layering
Step-by-Step Growing Guide
1. Preparing Your Feed Bags
First things first, we gotta get those bags ready:
- Cut about 10-12 drainage holes in the bottom
- Roll down the top edge about 12-15 inches
- Find a sunny spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight
- Optional: Put some gravel underneath for better drainage
2. Choosing and Preparing Seed Potatoes
I’ve found that for each feed bag you’ll want
- 2-3 seed potatoes per bag
- Cut larger potatoes into pieces with at least one “eye” each
- Let cut pieces dry overnight to prevent rotting
3. Planting Process
Here’s how I do it
- Fill the bottom of the bag with about 4 inches of soil mix
- Place seed potatoes about 12 inches apart
- Cover with another 4 inches of soil
- Water well but don’t soak
Ongoing Care Tips
Taking care of your potato plants isn’t rocket science, but here’s what’s worked for me:
- Water every 2-3 days (more in hot weather)
- Add more soil or straw as plants grow
- Keep unrolling the bag tops as you add layers
- Stop adding layers when bag is full
Common Problems I’ve Encountered
Look, I’ve made some mistakes along the way, so learn from them:
- Overwatering – leads to rotting
- Not enough drainage holes
- Trying to cram too many seed potatoes in one bag
- Forgetting to add soil as plants grow
Harvesting Your Potatoes
The fun part! Here’s when and how to harvest:
- Wait for plants to die back (usually mid-late summer)
- Either dump the whole bag or cut it open lengthwise
- Dig through carefully to find all your taters
- Let them cure in a cool, dark place for 1-2 weeks
Pro Tips from My Experience
After growing potatoes this way for several seasons, here’s what I’ve learned:
- Using straw instead of soil makes the bags lighter
- Label your bags with planting dates
- Stagger plantings for continuous harvest
- Keep bags elevated off the ground
- Consider companion planting herbs around the edges
Benefits of Feed Bag Potato Growing
I gotta tell ya, this method has some serious perks:
- Perfect for small spaces or apartments
- No digging required
- Easy to monitor for pests
- Simple to harvest
- Can move bags to follow the sun
- Great for people with limited mobility
Alternative Uses for Feed Bag Growing
Don’t limit yourself to just potatoes! I’ve successfully grown:
- Bush beans
- Carrots
- Tomatoes
- Leafy greens
- Herbs
Final Thoughts
Growing potatoes in feed bags has been a game-changer for my urban gardening setup. It’s simple, cost-effective, and surprisingly productive. I’ve harvested up to 15 pounds of potatoes from a single bag!
Remember, gardening should be fun and experimental. Don’t be afraid to try different things and adjust based on what works in your space. And hey, if you mess up (like I have plenty of times), there’s always next season!
Now get out there and start growing some taters! And if you’ve tried this method before, I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below.
Would you like me to explain any part of this guide in more detail? I’m always happy to share more specific tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way!
What you Need to Grow Sweet Potatoes in Feed Bags Empty feed bag Small piece of window screen Potting soil Straw Sweet potato slips (you can buy them commercially, or see instructions below how to start your own)
- To get started, flatten the bottom of the feed bag so it sits level on the ground.
- Then roll down the top of the bag until the bag is about a foot tall.
- Next, cut several holes in the bottom for drainage, about 1” in diameter.
- Then cut a piece of window screen to fit in the bottom of the bag. (This will help to keep the soil inside the bag.)
- Finally fill the bag with about 4” of potting soil mixed with some straw. This will keep the soil nicely aerated.
- The soil/straw mix is a good composition for the potatoes to grow in.
Now you’re ready to plant!
How to Grow Sweet Potatoes in Feed Bags
I just start the potato slips indoors, then plant them in old feed bags repurposed into garden grow bags. At that point, I set the bags outside in a sheltered area that gets lots of sun.
I can them move them inside on cold days or at night, then move them back outside once it warms up.
And remember that the soil in your grow bag will likely be warmer than the ground soil, which is another benefit to growing in bags.
In short, I give the sweet potatoes exactly what they need in order to thrive. So don’t throw out your empty chicken feed bags!
Here’s what else you’ll need to grow sweet potatoes.
Growing potatoes in feed bags!
FAQ
Can you grow potatoes in a feed bag?
However, there are plenty of foods that can grow in bags, like potatoes. 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!
How many potatoes can you grow in one bag?
We suggest planting 3 tubers per growing bag (too many plants in one bag will compete with each other and decrease yields). Once all the tubers are planted, water the potting mix.
What month is the best month to plant potatoes?
I like to wait for the soil to warm up a little at which point they emerge quickly and grow steadily without stress. Late March to early May is a good time to plant potatoes in the northern states. In the warmer areas of the South they can be planted in late fall or early winter.
Can I grow potatoes in a 5 gallon grow bag?
Yes, you can grow potatoes in a 5-gallon grow bag. Potatoes, especially those with smaller tubers, thrive in containers like 5-gallon grow bags or buckets.