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14 Mar 17 Kerrieanne (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Hello and thanks in advance for your advice. I live just north of Gympie Qld and our area has just been declared in drought. I've never grown potatoes before so an a novice. I've just purchased some seed potatoes and am wanting information on how to plant them and when. I'm thinking maybe in an old iron bathtub or garbage bins. Thanks again Kerrieanne

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15 Mar 17 Jonno (Australia - temperate climate)

The containers you suggested would be ideal. If you are using a bath take the plug fitting out, to improve drainage, and put a layer of stones or crushed rock like (railway ballast) in the bottom to improve drainage. Cover this layer with old jeans, newspaper or cardboard. this will help hold water and stop sediment from blocking the drainage. Add a layer of potting mix or growing medium and then a layer of old manure or blood & bone. Cover this with more mix and thenspace your seed potatoes out. Cover them with mix and give them a water. When the shoots emerge keep adding mix. Potatoes form on the stems not the roots. As with all plants growing in containers ensure thet they are in a position where the container will not get too hot as the roots will 'cook'. Attention to water is also important, mulching will help.

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