I've been growing potatoes for three years now, but I'm only seeing a slight increase in my harvest each year. I use 10-gallon grow bags filled with a 50-50 mix of potting soil and compost, along with a low nitrogen acidic fertilizer. What are some effective strategies to significantly boost my potato yield?
3 Answers
It might also be the type of potato you're using. I've had better yields from 'seed' potatoes and store-bought ones compared to some others. I make sure to cut larger potatoes, leaving at least two eyes on each piece. Planting on February 14th here gives them a longer growing time, too. Don't forget to check if your grow bags are in a spot that gets sunlight all day!
This year, I'm using tall 10-gallon bags too. I plant the chitted potatoes in just a few inches of soil at first, and every time they grow about 6 inches, I unroll the bag and add more soil (a process called hilling). I mixed in some triple super phosphate and coco coir with compost to help boost the growth. I’ve been watching videos about using different materials for the best results, and I’m hopeful!
To get more potatoes, try starting them earlier, at least a month before the last frost. Make sure they get plenty of sunlight. By the way, I’d recommend skipping the fertilizer because potatoes do well with just a good soil mix. Also, with a 10-gallon bag, it's best to plant just one seed potato; overcrowding doesn’t help. Let them grow through summer until the foliage starts dying back!