Potatoes are a popular vegetable. There are compulsory potatoes in our daily diet. No curry is complete without potatoes. If you want, you can grow potatoes indoors. You don't have to do much for that. Just follow my few instructions. In this article, I have shared how to grow potatoes in a bucket. If you want to grow potatoes in a small space in the home garden, keep reading the article.

Growing Potatoes

Why Grow Potatoes in a Bucket?

Potatoes are a profitable crop. They can be grown in a bucket easily. Now know why you should grow potatoes in a bucket.

Space-saving: You don't need a big garden to grow potatoes.
Easy to manage: Pest control, watering and harvesting are easy.
Portable: You can take the bucket anywhere for proper sunlight.

What You Will Need

Seed potatoes: These are potatoes grown specifically for planting.
A bucket: A 5- to 10-gallon bucket with drainage holes in the bottom
Soil: Quality potting soil mixed with compost
Fertilizer: Fertilizer suitable for potato growing
Water: Water to keep your potatoes hydrated regularly

When to plant potatoes

Potatoes are a winter crop. November to December is the best time to grow potatoes in winter countries. And, in summer countries, the best time for planting potatoes is March to April. Basically, potato planting time can be more or less based on the temperature of the countries.

Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Potatoes in a Bucket

1. Choose the Right Potatoes

To grow potatoes, first, you have to choose disease-free seed potatoes of hybrid varieties. You can find them at your nearest seed store or online. Avoid planting common potatoes because they can carry disease.

2. Prepare Your Bucket

Take a 5–10-gallon bucket and drill two holes in the bottom of the bucket for drainage. These will protect the roots from rotting. Then add two small brick blocks over the hole and then 1 inch of brick chips or pebbles and 1 inch of white sand. Then add potting soil to this bucket and keep it 2 inches empty from the top of the bucket. Your bucket is ready for planting potatoes.

3. Plant Potatoes

Cut your seed potatoes into 1-inch pieces. Place at least one sprout in each. Then place 3-4 pieces on top of the soil in the bucket. Then cover the pieces with soil and spray water lightly. Finally, place the bucket in a shady place. Potatoes will sprout within a week. Then keep the bucket in the sunlight.

4. Add More Soil as They Grow

Add extra soil to the roots of the potato plants when they are 4-5 inches tall. Continue adding additional soil as the plant grows.

5. Water Regularly

Water your potatoes regularly to keep the soil moist. But avoid overwatering as overwatering can cause potato plant root rot and plant death.

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6. Fertilize Occasionally

Apply fertilizer to the soil once every 15 days. This will help your plants grow and develop healthy tubers.

7. Disease and Pest Control

Spray fungicide once a week. Consult the nearest Agriculture Officer if you see any serious problems.

8. Harvest Potatoes

After about 10-12 weeks, your potatoes will be ready to harvest. When the leaves turn yellow or the plant dies, you can harvest potatoes. To harvest potatoes, first, uproot the plants from the soil. Then harvest your fresh potatoes by hand.

Tips for Success

Sunlight: Potatoes need 6-8 hours of sunlight a day. Do place your bucket in a sunny place.
Spacing: Don’t overcrowd the bucket with too many potatoes. Take 3-4 pieces per bucket for the best crops.
Storage: Store your harvested potatoes in a cool and dark place to preserve them for weeks or even months.

FAQs

1. When to harvest potatoes

Harvest potatoes when the potato plants are fully dead or the plants are turned yellow. Don't harvest potatoes where the leaves are green.

2. How to harvest potatoes at home

Potatoes can be harvested within 90 days from planting. Potatoes are ready for harvesting when the leaves of the potato plant start to turn yellow. While harvesting the potatoes, first the top potatoes should be carefully collected. Then the potato plants should be uprooted and all the soils should be removed. Finally, the potatoes should be separated from the soil.

3. How to store potatoes

It is very easy to store potatoes. Store them in a cool, dark and well-ventilated place. Avoid storing them in the refrigerator. Store them in an airtight bag. Above all, check the potatoes regularly to prevent them from sprouting or rotting.

4. How long does it take to grow potatoes in a bucket?

Usually, it takes around 10-12 weeks for potatoes to grow in a bucket from planting to harvest.

5. How many potatoes can I grow in a 5-gallon bucket?

You can grow 3-4 potato pieces in a 5-gallon bucket and each plant can yield around 5-10 potatoes, depending on the growing conditions.

Growing potatoes in a bucket is very simple. With just a little space, you can grow your own fresh potatoes at home. This method is perfect for those with limited gardening space. By following the steps in this article, you will be able to enjoy homegrown potatoes in just a few months. How to grow potatoes in a bucket. I think this is well known to you. So, start growing potatoes in a bucket and enjoy your homegrown fresh potatoes.

Do you find this information helpful? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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