Creative and Productive Methods for Gardeners in the Shenandoah Valley
If you think growing potatoes means digging a trench in a large backyard garden, think again! Potatoes are one of the most adaptable vegetables you can grow at home—and they don’t require much space. At Waynesboro Landscape & Garden Center, we’ve helped home gardeners all over the Shenandoah Valley discover unique and efficient ways to grow potatoes that fit any yard, patio, or even small porch.
Whether you’re gardening in Waynesboro, Fishersville, or the surrounding countryside, here are some fun and productive ways to get your spuds sprouting:
Grow Bags: The Space-Saving Favorite
Grow bags are one of the easiest and most popular ways to grow potatoes. These breathable fabric containers promote excellent drainage and root aeration, which leads to healthier plants and better yields. They’re ideal for patios, driveways, or anywhere with good sunlight.
How it works:
- Fill the bag with 4–6 inches of soil and compost.
- Add seed potatoes and cover with soil.
- As the plants grow, continue adding soil (“hilling”) until the bag is full.
- Harvest by dumping the bag and collecting your potatoes!
Tip: We carry a selection of potato grow bags in-store—stop in and let us show you how to get started.
Trash Cans or Storage Tubs: Upcycle Your Containers
An old trash can or plastic storage bin with drainage holes drilled into the bottom can become a productive potato planter. Just like with grow bags, you’ll need to add soil as the plant grows.
This method works well in the city or suburbs and can yield several pounds of potatoes per container.
Raised Beds: Traditional with a Twist
For those with a bit more room, raised beds offer great drainage and can be planted more intensively than in-ground gardens. Potatoes do well in deep, loose soil, and raised beds help warm the soil early in the spring.
To maximize your yield, consider the “trench and hill” method:
- Dig a shallow trench.
- Plant seed potatoes 12 inches apart.
- As they grow, hill soil up around the stems.
This encourages more tuber development along the buried stem.
Potato Towers: Vertical Gardening for Root Crops
Want to save even more space? Try building a potato tower using wire mesh, wood, or stacked tires. You add soil in layers as the plants grow vertically, encouraging tubers to form all the way up the tower.
While yields can vary, it’s a fun and visually interesting way to grow food in a compact space.
Harvesting and Cooking
Potatoes are ready to harvest once the plant’s foliage dies back. You can “dig early” for baby potatoes or wait until the skin thickens for better storage. If you’re growing in bags or bins, harvest is as easy as dumping the container and sifting through the soil.
Here are a few tasty ways to enjoy your homegrown harvest:
- Roast fingerlings with rosemary and olive oil.
- Make a creamy potato leek soup with chives from your herb garden.
- Slice and bake your own homemade potato chips.
- Use red potatoes in a warm herbed potato salad for summer picnics.
We’re Here to Help You Get Growing
Whether you’re new to gardening or a seasoned potato grower, Waynesboro Landscape & Garden Center has everything you need—from seed potatoes and soil to grow bags and garden tools. Our team can help you select the best varieties for your space and your table.
Stop by this spring and let’s talk taters!
