Feeding Spuds

I have grown potatoes in sacks for the last few years but the harvest is nothing to write home about - do you think I should feed them - or will that just make more foliage instead of potatoes. n.b. There is plenty of garden compost mixed in with the potting compost.

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Catherine on May 4, 2012 at 20:10

Elaine, I believe a little tipple would do them some good while the tubers are fattening up ;)

I grew mine in an old compost bag and added more compost as the foliage came through. Watered and added a bit of nettle liquid feed now and again and hope I will get big 'uns!!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jan Willetts on May 4, 2012 at 22:27

Specialist organic potato fertiliser made a difference to my sack potatoes last year but this year I am just growing outside, using organic seaweed meal at planting. Try liquid seaweed Magicrop.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jan Willetts on May 4, 2012 at 22:29

Sorry I mean Maxicrop!

Jan Willetts said:

Specialist organic potato fertiliser made a difference to my sack potatoes last year but this year I am just growing outside, using organic seaweed meal at planting. Try liquid seaweed Magicrop.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Colin Robinson on May 5, 2012 at 16:33

Elaine, when I mix my potting compost I add a good sprinkle of BFB and then feed the spuds with a commercial tomato fertilizer once the tops get to a decent size. I supplement this with my own seaweed feed.

This year I'm also experimenting with a commercial slow release potato fertilizer added at planting time. Results will be published when crop is lifted.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by elaine rickett on May 5, 2012 at 19:08

I didn't know you could get a fertilizer specifically for tatties - you live and learn.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Catherine on May 5, 2012 at 19:17

Elaine..you can use home made seaweed or nettle liquid feeds, no need to buy!!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Debbie on May 5, 2012 at 21:31

yep I agree with Jan. It works for me

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Colin Robinson on May 5, 2012 at 21:54

The only real advantage of the commercial pelleted feed over home-made is that it is slower release. As long as you don't mind feeding every week with nettle tea, etc. you should get similar results. I have about 70 containers of spuds so it takes a lot of feed.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by elaine rickett on May 5, 2012 at 22:02

70? Are you insane!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Colin Robinson on May 6, 2012 at 10:59

That's the nicest thing anybody's said to me all week!!

We get through a lot of potatoes in our house.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by elaine rickett on May 6, 2012 at 11:43

Are they all in containers or do you grow in the ground as well - which crop better for you?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Colin Robinson on May 6, 2012 at 23:13

All in containers which vary from flower buckets through polypots to fish boxes and an old wheelbarrow. Yields per square yard/metre used are actually higher than growing in the open ground which is why I dispensed with the daft idea of growing veg in rows several years ago.