As the potatoes grow within the barrel, add further 7.5cm (3in) layers of compost each time the stems are about 15cm (6in) above the top of the compost. Growing potatoes in a potato barrel or bag is so easy because they are contained. When you grow them in the open ground there is little control over where they send their roots, and the constant need to earth up the new growth can be awkward, especially if your space is in the midst of other crops. Growing them in containers means you can simply add in new compost and easily place them away from your other plants. Thoroughly clean out the barrels. If they had toxins in them be especially diligent in cleaning them out. Depending on the size of your container place two or three seed potatoes, spaced out equally and about 6 inches (15cm) in from the edge of the container. A Tong potato grader brings you the most advanced grading technology, with the most intelligent controls. Designed with ultimate ease of use and minimal maintenance in mind, Tong potato grading machinery is robust, reliable and very efficient.

In beds, potatoes need deep, fertile soil with a PH of 5-6. In PotatoBarrels,Spud Tubs or containers, use a mix of rotted compost, manure and good garden soil and place in a sheltered, sunny position. Once you have harvested your potatoes use the compost to as an excellent top dressing for your vegetable patch or flower beds. It is not good to use the same compost for another crop of potatoes as this can lead to problems with potato diseases. Keep the barrel well watered (but not waterlogged), especially in sunny weather. Include in each watering some proprietary tomato feed or similar. Once you have the barrel, decide how many medium sized first early seed potatoes you are going to be able to fit in the barrel, this will depend upon the size of the barrel - a 15cm (6in) space needs to be left between each seed potato and the sides of the barrel - sometimes placing one seed potato in the centre and spacing others between it and the sides of the barrel will maximise the number you can fit. Once you know how many seed potatoes you need, select them and chit them (see the general notes for chitting seed potatoes). If you plan to plant a second crop for harvest in the autumn, select additional seed potatoes and store in a dark, cool place. Cut slits into bottoms; this allows excess water run-off but still retains enough moisture within root zone area;

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First early potato varieties can be planted inFebruary and all other types from March onwards. Tubers should not be planted any later than late May. Many gardeners like to ‘chit’, or sprout, their potatoes before planting – place the tubers in a cool frost free place with natural light until the chits reach about 2.5cm (1”) in length. Barrels designed specifically for growing potatoes are available; these often have access holes in the sides, near the base, which can be opened to extract the potatoes when the crop is ready. Alternatively, any sort of bin or barrel can be used although make sure that you know what was originally stored in the barrel, avoid bins/barrels which had chemicals etc. unless you are very certain that any residue will be harmless. Ideally the bin/barrel should be about 1.2m (4ft) high although smaller containers (such as plastic dustbins) will suffice but the yield will be limited.

Keep doing this until you reach the top of the barrel. Don’t forget to continue to fertilize your barrel with the weekly feed once a week. Also about 1/2 cup 21-00-00 once a month, don’t over fertilize! Plants are just like humans and we don’t take more vitamins than what the label says, so please don’t over fertilize thinking your plants will be more healthier. If you're interested in growing potatoes but don't have much space, barrels can be an excellent option. With the right setup, you can grow a considerable amount of potatoes with minimal effort. In this article, we'll go over everything you need to know about how to grow potatoes in a barrel. Why Use Barrels? Keep the rest of the seed potatoes in a cool place and replant the whole barrel after you have harvested your first crop.Sweet Potato Crunch Casserole is a perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors that your family will love. The crunchy topping adds just the right touch of texture on top of these sweet and creamy potatoes.