You probably love Solanum tuberosum as a staple in your dieting , but did you recognise grow them on your own is actually very comfortable ? If you ’re lack infinite for growing potatoes , or if your garden is already full of other plants , flowers , and veggies , you may marvel if you’re able to still grow potatoes .
Withvertical gardening , you could actually grow the same amount of potatoes more easily and with the smaller outer space of a vertical garden . Here ’s a mere guide to vertically growing potatoes in a way that works for you and your space .
How much space do you need to grow potatoes?
Solanum tuberosum do n’t demand much space horizontally to grow ; a secret plan of 1 straight foot is enough for a single potato plant . Just keep in mind that more plants think more room needed , and this signify more white potato to reap . With 5 square feet , you have a bully middle ground , particularly if you ’re looking to glean enough potato to give a family .
Vertically , your garden will likely be 1 to 3 foot marvellous . The height of your garden can motley , as it depends on how tall your white potato flora will grow . You may be capable to sweet-talk them taller , depending on the variety and growing condition . If your spud plants are stubborn , or if conditions are n’t quite right , you may end up with a shorter garden .
Growing your potatoes
Measure out your base andlay your seed potatoeson the surface of the basis , spaced 4 to 6 inches apart . Do n’t bury them , because you require your bottom layer to be above undercoat to make harvesting easier . or else , bed a few column inch of soil on top of your seed potatoes . Once the vine have arise about 2 inches , layer more territory onto them . you may also add a level of leaf or chaff instead of grime . Continue this process until your plants are between 2 and 3 feet marvelous .
Stop layering at this point and let the plants develop leaves . If you’re able to see the tops of the tubers , cover them with soil . When exposed to sunlight , potato genus Tuber can combust or release green and make a toxic chemical call in solanine .
Setting up your tower
Vertical potato garden resemble a tower , with the potatoes in the center surrounded by walls . There are many ways to craft your column , with some choosing to ramp up the wall up as the plants grow and others deciding to build up the walls first . order the walls up first can save you some metre overall and is easier to set up , but can ensue in a tower that ’s too large or too small . establish the walls as you go takes a fiddling more clock time and travail , but your towboat will be the good size every time .
A canonic tower is made from wood instrument panel , roughly the width of each layer , nailed together to take shape a box . The spud on the lower levels will be ready for harvesting slightly sooner than the tater on higher levels . So , when it comes clock time to glean , take out the bottom board on one side of the level you ’ll be harvesting .
you could make your tower in any way you ’d like , based on what you have usable . For example , a 5 - gallon bucket with the bottom turn off out of it , an erstwhile laundry basket , or even chicken wire on wooden posts will do . hold one side that ’s obliterable or made of wire can also make watering your tower much easier .
What kinds of potatoes grow in towers?
When work up a perpendicular garden to rise potatoes , you want to be certain you pick potatoes that are long - season , or slow - grow varieties , know as indeterminate potatoes . There is actually a very long list of undetermined varieties , but here are a few sample distribution :
What are the pros and cons of growing potatoes vertically?
This method acting of growing murphy is a great way to develop the same amount or even more white potato vine in less outer space . If you have limited space , but still need a hearty harvest , this is an excellent alternative . It ’s fairly wanton to define up , and it ’s easy to customize based on your needs and resources .
Harvesting tater is a messy process . This is reliable no matter what method acting you use . However , harvestingfrom a erect gardencan also be a fiddling catchy and uncomfortable . The upper levels of your tug should be comparatively gentle to harvest , but the depressed level , especially the bottom level , may give you some bother . This is especially genuine the first time you do it , although it does get easy with practice .
This round-eyed method makes use of whatever extra space and supplies you have to provide you withplentyof potatoes . Whether you ’re an experient nurseryman looking to make use of the last corner of your garden or abeginner looking for a projectthat does n’t necessitate much blank space , vertical spud garden are a fun agency to produce as many spud as your heart desire .
