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Permalink Reply by Brenna z6 PA on June 19, 2009 at 7:08am

This year when I get the tires changed on my truck I am going to keep them for a potato tire garden. I have heard from lots of family (I am from Idaho aka potato state) that this will produce lots more potatoes in a smaller space.

http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/sanders98.html

Permalink Reply by Cynthia Lerch on June 20, 2009 at 6:40pm

I remember doing this when my parents had a big garden. The only thing I don't remember is how deep to plant the seed potatos! Lol. As I remember, it was very easy. Just plant with the eyes pointed up, and when the plants start to die back you can get the potatoes. I can remember just going out to the garden and digging up fresh red potatos for dinner. That sounds pretty good to me right now!

Permalink Reply by Cynthia L Arnold on March 15, 2010 at 9:54am

Start them in hilled up rows from fresh seed potatoes. Hilled rows warm faster and prevent the potatoes from breaking the soil surface as they grow, if they break the soil surface they will turn green where ever the sun touches them. You want to plant a good 10-12 inches down. Watch for potatoe bugs as soon as they start to grow. Check each day, turning to check the bottom of the leaves, look for orange egg casings. Wearing garden gloves you can smoosh them, as for adults you can pick them off and drop in a container of soapy water. I've heard companion planting with marigolds helps deter potato bugs. Do not plant near Tomato plants as they are in the same family, potato bugs and potato blight could infect your tomatoes. Use drip hoses for water at the base of the plants in the early morning, about 1 inch a week. After the foliage has died back you can dig them up, be careful not to damage any spuds as you harvest. We usually mow off the tops before we dig. Hope this helped. We grew potatoes every year when our boys where living at home. We would start with 100lbs of seed potatoes, in 6 100 foot rows and harvest about 600-700lbs a year.

Permalink Reply by Jessica Roth on June 24, 2010 at 4:32pm

We're growing them on our deck. This is our first attempt, so I hope they turn out :)