How many types of potatoes would you guess there are in the world? Maybe a few dozen varieties? In the grocery store I've definitely seen red, white and yellow ones. And occasionally they have purple ones. That's right, if you've never had a purple potato that's a dark purple inside and out... you are definitely missing out on the coolest mashed potatoes ever.
Would you believe that there are actually a few thousand varieties of potatoes!? Isn't that incredible?! So many different types and flavors and colors. A great majority of them are in the Andes Mountain region where the potato was first developed.
So, when you are deciding what potatoes to grow, know that there are SEVERAL very interesting options. From potatoes that harvest in as little as 55 days to a potato called the Purple Viking -- a beautiful purple skinned potato with red swirls on the surface and a surprisingly snow-white flesh. Here's a picture.
How would one grow potatoes in their backyard? On their balcony? Well, here's one idea I'm currently using.
First, get a spud -- a potato you are going to plant. If you are getting them at a grocery store, be mindful that the non-organic potatoes have a spray on them that prevents them from sprouting, so buy organic potatoes or ones you know are not sprayed. We got ours from a farmer's market at the end of the year last year, and as the weather's gotten warmer, many of them began sprouting. Here's a picture of a sprouted potato that REALLY wants to be planted.
Notice this potato's size. If it's much bigger than this you may need to cut the potato in half or even in 4ths for very big ones. If this is the case, make sure you let the pieces sit for a day or two in a dry location. This will let the cut (moist) side dry out and prevent it from rotting once you plant it. And BELIEVE me... you don't want to smell a rotting potato. Just trust me.
Now get a bag. We used one of the more durable and water-proof-ish reusable old shopping bags that we own as our potato bag. If the bag you are using does not allow water to pass through it, make some holes at the bottom. Put a thin layer of gravel at the bottom (1 inch-ish) to help with drainage. You don't want to oversaturate a potato plant!! Again, beware a rotting potato...
Fill about 3-4 inches of the bag with soil. Place potatoes on the surface of the soil layer (I planted 3 spuds in this bag), and then cover the potatoes completely with soil. Water well, roll down the edges of the bag and put in a nice sunny location. Be sure to try and keep the soil moist but well drained. Potatoes, like many vegetable plants, require a balance of not-too-dry-but-not-too- wet-or-else. Though potatoes are actually fairly forgiving plants. Awhile ago, I grew some potatoes on a fire escape in a large, old juice container, and (as can happen with plants on fire escapes) I forgot about it. I thought the plant had died and just left it out there for the season. The following spring, I turned out the container to re-use the soil, and shockingly some potatoes rolled out! They lasted all winter! Not very many, mind you, but I was quite impressed the plant had produced despite the harsh conditions of a fire escape.
As the potato plant grows, you'll want to keep mounding soil around it. This encourages the plant to have a taller root system and produce more potatoes. As you mound and need more room, roll the edges of the bag up. If all goes well, by the time the potato plant blooms and dies back (which is when you know it's ready), you'll have a bag full of potatoes!
Happy Potato-ing!
Wow! I never would have thought to use a dynamic plant container to make potatoes grow more! That's wild :)
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