Potato Bag Gardening

Potato bag gardening is used to grow potatoes in a small space where conventional planting methods are not practical, such as a patio. A 5-gallon potato bag can produce 7 to 13 pounds of potatoes, depending on the variety. Larger bags produce enough potatoes to sustain a small family for the winter.

Types of Potatoes

Potatoes grow from a seed potato: a section of potato that contains an "eye" that grows into a vine. As the vine grows, the plant produces thick roots. The vine uses only a portion of the nutrients found in the soil and the excess food causes the thick roots to grow into the tubers harvested at the end of the growing season.

There are two types of potatoes for the potato grower; determinate and indeterminate. Determinate potatoes are considered fast-growing and produce tubers at the soil depth just above where the seed was planted. Indeterminate potatoes are classified as slow-growing and produce tubers all along the stem where soil exists. Indeterminate varieties are preferred for bag growing so the yield is worth the the effort.

Suggested Varieties

Potato varieties are classified as early, mid-season and late growers. Early potatoes are harvested within 60 to 75 days after planting. The mid-season varieties, such as 'Red Cloud', are harvested about 80 days after planting. Late growers are harvested approximately 90 days or longer after planting. Determinate varieties that work well for a short growing season or a small yield include "Red Pontiac," "Chieftain" and "Yukon Gold" potatoes. Indeterminate varieties include "Russet Nugget," "Nicola," "German Butterball" and "Elba" potatoes.

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Bag Sizes

Commercial potato bags are available in several sizes, from 4 quarts to 100 quarts. The bags are available in a variety of colors. Potato bag growing does not require a specialty growing bag. Trash bags or other water-proof bags work well for the gardening project. The bag should expand vertically as you add additional soil and keep the moisture contained when adding water. Use a plant dolly as a base for potato bags you will move around during the growing season.

Growing and Harvesting

Standard potting soil is an acceptable growing medium for potatoes. However, the plant needs nitrogen and potassium in the soil to set tubers and produce enough carbohydrates for the tubers to grow into sizable potatoes. Mix in a general granulated fertilizer with the soil before filling the bag. This feeds the plants during the growing season. Fill the bag with at least 4 inches of soil and set the seed potatoes in the soil. Cover the potatoes with soil and water well. Continue filling the bag with soil as the vine grows. This keeps the sunlight off the potatoes as they form. Once the bag is filled, allow the vine to grow and flower. Once the vine dies back, the potatoes are ready for harvesting.


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