The technology of growing potatoes in a barrel

According to one version, this method appeared by accident, when a tuber accidentally fell into a compost pit. Gradually, the summer resident sprinkled the plant with new lots of compost, and in the fall, unexpectedly for himself, he collected a good harvest. Over time, the technology has improved. Now planting potatoes in a barrel is no longer exotic. First of all, the method will interest the owners of small plots where it is not possible to allocate an area for potatoes.

Benefits of growing potatoes in a barrel:

  • saving space, the potato plantation is located in any convenient place;
  • plants do not need to be hilled and weeded, they almost do not suffer from diseases and pests;
  • tubers rot less;
  • minimal labor costs in comparison with the traditional method;
  • watering requires 3-4 times less water;
  • due to good heating of the soil, the potatoes in the barrel ripen earlier;
  • subject to the technology, the yield of the variety does not decrease.

Disadvantage: requires the preparation of high-quality soil and a sufficient number of containers for growing, because of this it is not used en masse.

How to grow potatoes in a barrel

1. Preparation of the barrel. For vertical cultivation of potatoes, instead of metal barrels, you can use any plastic or wooden containers of a suitable volume (from 7 liters and more than 30 cm in height). In some cases, straw-lined wicker structures and even old car tires are used.

Barrels are differentgrowing potatoes in car tires photoTires fit too

First, the bottom of the barrel (another container) is removed so that excess moisture can freely come out without leading to decay of the root system. It is advisable to make the container collapsible in at least two parts to make it easier to harvest. If the barrel was used for other purposes, to protect against pathogenic microorganisms, the inner walls should be cleaned with soda and boiling water and wiped dry. It is better to repaint the outer walls of dark containers in light colors, then they attract less sunlight.

Further, holes 10 cm in diameter are made in the walls every 15-1 cm for normal soil ventilation. In high barrels, you can additionally insert a perforated hose (tube) plugged on one side vertically, with notches every 20 cm.Pull the open end out and periodically connect it to a pump (compressor) to saturate the soil with oxygen for 3-5 minutes.

2. Landing. Potatoes in a barrel require more nutrients than in an open field. The ideal option would be a soil consisting of equal proportions of compost (or rotted humus) and ordinary garden soil. It is better to prepare the soil in the fall. The soil should be pre-weeded, steamed or treated with chemicals so that pests and weeds do not get inside the container, where it is difficult to deal with them.

When planting, the barrel is placed in the selected location. Pour 10-15 cm of a mixture of compost and earth onto the bottom. Then sprouted potatoes are spread along the diameter of the circle at a distance of 20 cm from each other and 10 cm of soil is poured on top.

After the appearance of sprouts 2-3 cm long, they must be sprinkled 10 cm with new soil. The procedure is repeated several times until the height of the nutrient layer reaches 1 meter (preferably if the size of the barrel allows). Otherwise, the root system will be poorly formed, which will lead to a decrease in yield.

photo of potatoes planted in a barrelCorrect landing

3. Care and feeding. From the moment the tubers are planted, the potatoes should be constantly added, controlling the humidity. Drying out of the soil is unacceptable. A minimum of 3-4 waterings per season are required.

When sprouts of 10-12 cm appear (after the last sprinkling with earth), the bushes are fed with nitrogen and potassium fertilizers. Top dressing is diluted according to the instructions on the label and applied in liquid form at the rate of 1 liter per bush. Early varieties are fed 1 time, late – 2. It is important not to overdo it with nitrogen fertilizers, too high nitrogen concentration leads to the accumulation of nitrates in tubers, which negatively affects the quality of the crop. At the end of flowering, phosphorus can be added.

It is necessary to weed and process potatoes in a barrel with chemicals only when pests appear. This is often not required. Vertical cultivation is considered an environmentally friendly method.

4. Harvesting. 8-9 weeks after the last top dressing, the tops will turn yellow and begin to dry out. The potatoes are ripe. To collect potatoes, just turn over and disassemble the barrel. Productivity – up to one bag per square meter of land.
The soil can be reused, sowed with green manure in autumn, then organic and mineral additives can be added.

photo of harvesting potatoes in a barrel

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Anna Evans

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