Growing Potatoes In Straw

An old-time vegetable gardening method is growing potatoes in straw. Just set seed pieces about 3" deep in a side trench. As stems grow, cover them with straw, leaves, pine needles or any similar material. (If wind is a problem, anchor the straw with some soil.) Potatoes then can be picked simply by pulling back the straw.

Growing Potatoes In Unusual Ways

Because a 100-foot row is needed to raise the 1-2 bushels most families need, growing potatoes is usually not considered for small gardens. But their growth habit makes possible some interesting experiments.

Growing potatoes in straw or any loose material will be cleaner, better formed, and easier to harvest.

Potato Gardening In Containers

Grow potatoes in plastic bags and your harvest will be bountiful. Potato gardening in other containers is also fruitful.

Plant them in straight vermiculite in 2 gallon pots. At harvest potatoes can fill 1/4 of the container!

Vermiculite grown potatoes must be continuously watered with a complete nutrient solution, however.

Another Potato Growing Method to Try

I used this potato growing method one summer when I had a new garden spot and the soil wasn't adequately tilled yet.

I just placed the seed potatoes on the ground and then covered them with about 1-2 feet of straw.

They did great! I kept the straw raked up around the plants as they grew.

Keeps Potato Bugs Away!

I had heard that planting this way would prevent potato bugs from devouring them too. Guess what? It worked! I didn't have potato bugs for the first time....ever. I'm not sure why and need to research that to find the answer. Something about the soil temperature, I think it was.

Harvesting was really easy too. You just remove the straw and there they are! Home grown potatoes have a flavor that you will not get from the ones you buy in the supermarket. If you are limited on space, try the potatoes in the plastic bag method, just to have a few to savor!