Ever dreamt of growing your own potatoes but feel stuck in a tiny space? It’s like potatoes are playing hard-to-get, demanding vast fields or sprawling gardens. I feel your pain—wanting to cultivate your own food but feeling boxed in by your surroundings. And don’t even get me started on the cost of gardening supplies! 😩
But here’s the exciting part: you don’t need a farm to grow a fantastic crop of potatoes. In fact, you can do it with just an old 55-gallon drum! This DIY project is a total game-changer, saving both space and money. I recently gave it a shot and managed to build my own potato growing tubs from a food-safe 55-gallon barrel. And guess what? It only cost me $25!
Learn to grow potatoes in barrels and produce an amazing crop of tasty potatoes.
Gathering the Necessary Supplies
Before diving into the steps, let’s gather all the materials and tools you’ll need for this project:
1. Finding the 55-gallon Barrel
The first essential item is a 55-gallon food-safe barrel. I managed to score a few of these locally via Facebook Marketplace for about $15 each. Just type “55-gallon drum,” and you should find plenty of options. This is the primary outlay, assuming you already own most of the necessary tools.
2. Seed Potatoes of Choice
Next, you’ll need the potatoes you want to grow. You can easily find seed potatoes at Lowe’s, Home Depot, or Walmart. Choose varieties that best suit your culinary preferences and local growing conditions.
3. Essential Tools
You’ll need a few key tools to get the job done efficiently. Here is a quick rundown:
- Hole Saw: This helps create a handy opening for easier barrel handling.
- Quarter-Inch Drill Bit: Necessary for making drainage holes.
- Safety Equipment: Essential when using power tools like an angle grinder.
- Angle Grinder: A DeWalt model is great; you can find a good deal online with affordable options for around $30.
- Sharpie (Optional): Useful for marking cut lines on the barrel.
With your materials in hand, let’s prepare the barrels.
4. Safety Equipment
When using power tools like an angle grinder, it’s crucial to have the right safety gear. Goggles and gloves are a must to protect your eyes and hands from flying debris.
Preparing the Barrels
Once you’ve gathered all your materials and tools, it’s time to prepare the barrels for cutting. This step is crucial as it determines the foundational structure of your potato bins.
1. Finding a Spot on the Barrel for Cutting
First, examine your barrel and look for ridges. You want to find a spot in the middle, and using your Sharpie, make dotted lines around the barrel. This will be your guide for cutting.
2. Using the Angle Grinder
Grab your angle grinder and follow the dotted lines you made. Cut along these lines to split the barrel into two pieces. Each section will serve as an individual potato bin.
3. Creating a Finger Hole
Using a 1 3/8-inch hole saw (or a similarly sized tool), create a finger hole near the top of each half. This will make it easier to move the bins around once they’re filled with soil. Trust me, it’s a game-changer for portability.
4. Drilling Drainage Holes
With a quarter-inch drill bit, make about 5 to 7 holes in random locations around the bottom sides of the barrel. Adequate drainage is crucial for healthy potato growth, ensuring excess water doesn’t stagnate.
Now that the barrels are prepped let’s get to the fun part—planting the potatoes.
Planting the Potatoes
Now that the barrels are prepped, it’s time to plant your potatoes. This stage is where your gardening truly begins.
1. Adding the Initial Soil Layer
Start by adding roughly two inches of soil at the bottom of each barrel section. This forms the initial bed for your seed potatoes.
2. Placing the Seed Potatoes
Place about five seed potatoes evenly in each barrel. These little spuds are going to sprout into delicious, home-grown potatoes.
3. Covering the Seed Potatoes
Add another three inches of soil on top of the seed potatoes, bringing the total soil depth to five inches. This initial coverage sets the stage for healthy growth.
4. Watering the Planted Barrels
Give the newly planted potatoes a good watering. Moving forward, ensure you water them at least once a week. Depending on your climate, you might need to adjust this—just don’t let the soil dry out completely, and avoid overwatering.
Monitoring Growth and Adding Soil
Your potatoes will begin to sprout and grow, needing regular attention to ensure they thrive.
1. Checking Plant Growth
After about three weeks from planting, you’ll start to see your potato plants growing. Measure them—when they reach about seven inches above the soil, it’s time for the next step.
2. Adding More Soil
Once your plants hit that seven-inch mark, add another three inches of soil. This buries part of the stem, leaving about four inches of the plant exposed. This process encourages your plants to develop more roots, which translates to more potatoes.
3. Repeating the Process
As your potato plants continue to grow, keep repeating the soil-adding process. Always aim to have about four inches of the plant exposed above the soil. This cycle promotes extensive root development and, ultimately, a more plentiful potato harvest.
Harvesting
After months of care, your hard work will pay off with a bountiful harvest.
1. Allowing Plants to Die Off
After about four months, or by the end of summer, your potato plants will start to die off. This is a natural part of their growth cycle and a sign that they’re ready for harvest.
2. Revealing the Potato Harvest
When the plants have fully died back, it’s time to dump out the barrels and unveil your bounty. You’ll likely end up with more potatoes than you know what to do with—a rewarding outcome for your efforts.
Advantages of Using Two Barrels
Splitting a 55-gallon drum into two smaller barrels has significant benefits.
1. Portability
Using smaller barrel sections makes the bins easier to move around. This is especially handy if you need to reposition them for optimal sun exposure or when transporting them.
2. Sunlight Exposure
Lower barrels make it simpler to manage sunlight exposure. Unlike larger barrels that need specific orientation, these smaller bins naturally get adequate light. Plus, they’re growing just fine without any need for tilting or repositioning.
So there you have it, folks—a detailed, step-by-step guide to making potato bins from 55-gallon drums. With just a little effort and some simple tools, you can set yourself up for a summer of delicious, home-grown potatoes. Happy planting!
