The concept of growing potatoes vertically has been around for a while . potato grown in a typical garden do use up a considerable amount of space . gardener with special space often look to alternatives that will allow them to make maximal use of what place they do have . A Irish potato grow box is an choice that can be used in all USDA zona .
Why Grow Vertically?
What makes potatoes unique is that they form tuber along the part of the stem that develop clandestine . More elbow room for underground stems stand for more tubers will form along the fore . These tubers may not be as large as those grown in the usual fashion , but overall productiveness in terms of the weighting of the crop is often corresponding .
The Potato Box
A spud box is pretty much what it sounds like – a series of wooden frames that can be stacked one on top of the other . No courtly architectural plan are necessary . As the white potato in the corner originate tall , extra chassis are added and the above - footing portion of the potato industrial plant are covered with more dirt . Tubers will shape along the buried portions of stems .
Building a Potato Box
prefer water - resistant wood such as true cedar . Although any screws will crop , brass piece of tail are more rust fungus - resistant . To establish a boxwood , you ’ll need :
Construction Directions
trim down the stud into four pieces 33 inches long . swerve the boards into 12 lengths of 21 inches and 12 distance of 24 inch . Pre - drill holes to make it easy to take away screws . Screw two 21 - inch and two 24 - inch board duration to together to take shape a rectangle . Repeat to make a total of six orthogonal skeletal system . Place one 2”x2 ” stud on the inside of each street corner and fucking into topographic point .
Set-up and Planting.
Place the first skeleton on the ground or wherever you plan to arise your potatoes . Make certain it ’s in full sunlight . Slide a 2d material body over the studs . meet the corner withsoil . you may use commercial potting grunge or mingle your own . Soil should drain well , have lots of humus and be slightly acidulent and high in richness . plant life yourseedpotatoes about three inches inscrutable and cover with soil .
Growing On and Harvesting
As your potatoes develop , summate another frame each meter the above - dry land growing is a foundation mellow . Cover one - third of the plant with soil . Keep your plants well - watered until the tops begin to break down down , then stop watering . Harvestpotatoes by removing the lowest board on the frame . Remove potatoes , substitute the skeletal frame and retell the procedure every two week . Or simply turn the boxful on its side and harvest the entire crop .
