Potato grow bags have become increasingly popular in recent years for home gardeners looking for an easy way to grow potatoes in a small space. But do these fabric pots actually produce a decent potato harvest? In this article we’ll take an in-depth look at potato grow bags to find out if they really work or not.
What Are Potato Grow Bags?
A potato grow bag is a specialized gardening bag made from breathable fabric that allows you to easily grow potatoes in a container instead of the ground The bags are cylindrical in shape, about 2 feet wide and 15 feet tall.
Potato grow bags offer several advantages:
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Take up very little space – can be used in small gardens or even on patios and balconies.
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Require no digging – simply plant the seed potatoes and let them grow
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Easy to harvest – just tip the bag over and pick up the potatoes.
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Reusable for several years. Higher yield potential than regular pots.
The bags allow for ample drainage and air circulation around the potato plants while also providing room for the potatoes to size up. The fabric helps retain moisture and nutrients for the developing spuds.
How Well Do They Work?
The big question is, can you really grow a decent potato harvest with these bags? Or are they just a gimmick?
The consensus from most gardeners who have tried potato grow bags is that yes, they absolutely can produce a respectable potato yield!
According to grow bag manufacturers and sellers, you can expect to harvest around 10-15 pounds of potatoes per bag, depending on the variety grown. Of course, your individual results may vary based on conditions.
Many home gardeners who have put potato grow bags to the test report good results:
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“I harvested over 13 lbs of potatoes from my single grow bag last year!”
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“From my 3 potato bags I got about 40 nice sized potatoes. I was pleasantly surprised.”
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“We got at least 10 lbs from each bag. Very impressed and will use them again.”
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“They produced way more than I expected for the small amount of space they take up.”
However, potato grow bag success depends on several factors:
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Using quality growing medium – Using a sterile, well-draining potting mix is ideal to prevent disease.
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Watering – Potatoes in bags dry out faster than in the ground. Consistent moisture is important.
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Sun – Beans need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
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Fertilizing – Applying a balanced organic fertilizer helps maximize yield.
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Varieties – Some potato varieties fare better in containers than others.
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Care – Overall growing conditions impact results. Following best practices helps increase success.
Tips for Using Potato Grow Bags
If you want to try harvesting homegrown potatoes from fabric grow bags, here are some tips:
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Sun & spacing – Place in full sun. Allow at least 2 feet between bags for airflow.
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Soil – Use a high quality potting mix, not garden soil which may drain poorly.
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Planting – Space seed potatoes 8-12 inches apart in a bag. Plant 2-5 potatoes per bag.
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Watering – Check soil moisture daily. Water when the top few inches become dry.
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Fertilizer – Use a balanced organic fertilizer like fish emulsion once growing foliage appears.
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Maintenance – Hill up additional soil/mulch around plants as they grow taller.
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Harvest – Allow foliage to die back completely before harvesting. Tip bags over and pick out potatoes.
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Storage – Cure freshly harvested potatoes in a dark, cool place before long term storage.
Best Potato Varieties for Grow Bags
You’ll get the highest yields from compact, early maturing potato varieties bred specifically for container growing. Top options include:
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Yukon Gold – Classic yellow buttery flavored potato. Does very well in bags.
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Red Gold – Red skinned, yellow fleshed potato. Ideal for containers.
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French Fingerling – Small, finger-shaped potatoes with superb flavor. Prolific in grow bags.
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Ruby Lou – Red potato known for vigor and high yields in pots.
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Viking Purple – Purple skin, white flesh. Forms smaller, abundant tubers great for bags.
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Carola – White round potato performs very well in containers.
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Swift – Very early maturing yellow potato good for grow bags.
Avoid large, late maturing varieties like Russets as they require more space than a typical grow bag allows. Stick with compact, early potato types.
The Verdict
The key is using early potato varieties suited for containers, planting in a high quality growing medium, fertilizing, and maintaining consistent moisture. With the right conditions, potato grow bags do work very well for home production. Just be sure to follow best practices for container growing.
Have you tried harvesting homegrown potatoes from grow bags? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments!
Growing potatoes at home in cloth bags – Unexpectedly many tubers
FAQ
Do potatoes grow well in grow bags?
How many potatoes do you get from a grow bag?
Do potato storage bags really work?
Are potato bags any good?
Can you grow potatoes in a bag?
If you plan to grow a lot of potatoes, consider using very large grow bags that you plant from start to finish in a single location that provides plenty of sunlight. You need to start your potato seeds in only a few inches of gardening soil at the bottom of the bag.
Are potato grow bags better than ground planting?
The only downside to potato grow bags over ground planting is the fewer number of seed potatoes you can plant per container, which decreases the overall harvest. Another tendency I have found is that the potatoes that do grow are not as large as the ones coming straight from the ground.
How do potato growing bags work?
Many potato growing bags feature an access door near the bottom of the bag that allows you to harvest your potatoes without having to dig or dump out the soil. Using the access door also lets you peek at root development and prune off growth before roots begin to circle.
What are potato grow bags?
Potato grow bags are typically 5-20 gallon fabric bags built specifically for growing potatoes. Some are made of non-woven geotextile, while others are made of a plastic tarp-like material with metal grommets for drainage holes. Some have little trapdoors on the side for harvesting.