Looking for a better way to grow potatoes in containers—and maybe sneak in a bonus crop while you're at it? This method skips the usual hilling routine and makes the most of small spaces like patios, decks, even raised beds. And the best part? You’ll harvest not one, but two crops from one container.
Why I Grow Potatoes in Containers
Like many gardeners, container gardening has been a game-changer, especially when space is limited. But here are the real reasons I love it:
- It makes harvesting easier. I just tip the container over and gather up my potatoes. No digging, no poking holes in spuds.
- It saves space. My garden isn't huge, and this method fits right into corners, decks, or raised beds.
- It keeps potatoes where I want them. I used to find surprise sprouts popping up in my carrot beds from missed tubers. That would be really frustrating.
If you've had rogue potato plants volunteer (hijack!) your garden beds, you know what I mean.
What Kind of Container Works?
Pretty much anything that holds soil and drains well will do. I've used all sorts of containers over the years:
- 5- or 10-gallon buckets
- Felt grow bags
- Leftover nursery pots from shrubs
- Burlap coffee sacks (one time use - compost when done!)
- Even a reusable shopping bag made from strapping tape
If it holds soil and has drainage holes, it’ll work. Don’t overthink it.
How to Grow Potatoes in Containers (and Get a Bonus Crop)
Here’s the method I use now—quick, simple, and no more fussing with soil later:
- Start by adding about 5 inches of garden soil to the bottom of your container.
- Place your seed potatoes (or cut pieces with eyes) right on top.
- Fill the container all the way to the top with a mix of compost, potting soil, aged manure, kelp, straw—whatever you’ve got.
- Cap it off with a little extra soil, kind of like frosting a cupcake.
- Sprinkle seeds for salad greens—mesclun mix, arugula, or lettuce—right on the surface and cover lightly with soil.
This gives you two crops in one container. While the potatoes are growing beneath the surface, the salad greens fill in on top. You’ll get one or two good cuttings before the potato shoots push through.
Why I Switched to This Method
I used to grow potatoes the traditional way—plant a few inches deep, then keep adding soil as the stems grew. But honestly? It didn't work all that great for me...
For one thing, every time I tried to “hill” my potatoes, I ended up snapping off stems. It was frustrating and took too much time. So I gave this fill-once method a try, thanks to a tip from a friend—an attorney, no less—who didn’t have time for the fussy process either.
And once I saw how well it worked, I took it a step further by sowing seeds for salad greens on top. It’s such a fun combo: greens now, spuds later.
Now, when the potato plants finally poke through, I finish harvesting my greens and let the potatoes take over. Depending on the size of your container, you might even sneak in an extra round of greens before that happens.
Want to see it in action? Watch my full video here:
If you’ve got your own favorite way to grow potatoes in containers, I’d love to hear it in the comments. When we share, we all grow better.
Keep your hands in the dirt and your eyes on the stars.
Happy growing!
PS You and I both know that when it comes to gardening, not everything goes as planned. One year, my potato plants got HUGE! Did this mean a poor potato harvest? In this video, you can find out what went wrong, and how soil and compost might be the problem.
