Growing potatoes in a trash can.

The first time I heard about someone growing potatoes in a trash can I scoffed.  "In a trash can?"  The horror!  It wasn't until later, after reading a magazine article on it, that I came to consider growing my own potatoes in a trash can.

I followed the instructions, watched, waiting, and then wowed when I saw the first sprouts of potato life.  I'll never forget the question my little sister asked when I told her about my glorious potato plants... "Was it a CLEAN trash can?"

*Smacks forehead*

I assured her that yes, they were clean trash cans (new ones, at that), but in the end what difference did it make when you're filling it full of dirt?  LOL. 

Here's how it goes:

• Drill drainage holes all over the bottom of a trash can, or barrel.
• Place a layer of shredded newspaper in the bottom.  This helps hold the dirt in.
• Add a 2-3" layer of dirt.  I used regular old topsoil.
• Place your seed potatoes on top of the dirt and cover with more dirt.
• As the sprouts poke their heads out of the trash can of dirt, add more dirt.
• Keep adding dirt until you get to the top of the trash can.
• Once the potato stalks are above the trash can, be sure to stake them so they don't break off.  Apparently this ruins your potatoes beneath.

Seemed easy enough, and so far it has been just that.  Come late September/early October I'll turn the trash cans over and dump the potatoes out for harvesting.  The trash can on the left is full of red potatoes and the one on the right has russet potatoes in it.  I'm looking forward to seeing how many come out of there.

Let me know if you try your hand at growing potatoes in a trash can.  I'd love to see what your results are, and I'll share mine once harvest time rolls around.