This weekend, with the beautiful weather we had here, Trace and I decided to work on some of our outdoor projects. I was able to build my potato box (in one day) and asked Trace if I could share the results, on our blog, sooner rather than later!
This year will be our first year growing potatoes. As we understand the way potatoes grow, they need soil added as the plant grows bigger to further stimulate production. Many people choose to simply mound the dirt around their plants or use old tires for their potato ‘frame’. However, years ago (before Trace) I saw a design for a ‘potato box’ that allows the grower to harvest the baby (or new) potatoes throughout the growing season.
We had already bought all the materials needed: one treated 2x4x12 and ten 1x6x6 boards (actually fence slats).
We pulled out the power tools – my dad’s mitre saw (which now ‘lives’ at our house) and the drills (plural because, if you have two, you don’t have to switch bits between the pre-drilling and the screwing in of the screws) – and, after quick review on how to use each, I got started (I’d used drills before, but not the saw).
My first step was to cut the 2x4x12 into four 33-inch pieces. These will be the upright corner posts. (A handy tip from Trace: measure from the end for each cut, that way you don’t lose the width of the saw blade from your cut). I then cut the 1x6s into twenty 24-inch pieces.
Next, I attached four 1x6s across the upright 2x4s to form the bottom frame into a square.
Originally I’d intended to build up just two layers of boards, leaving the rest to be added as dirt was piled onto the growing potatoes. I realized, however, that there was no reason not to build three sides up completely and only have one unfinished/working side. The first side went slowly as I lined up each board, pre-drilled the holes and then attached them. The second and third sides went much faster as I got used to the tools and the box gained more and more stability.
The fourth side boards will be attached as we add dirt. These will be attached with only one screw on each side, for easy removal, with the intention of harvesting the potatoes at the bottom of the box early, while allowing the rest to continue to grow.
We placed the three-sided box at the corner of our garden, where sun will hit the open side and we had some good dirt. I planted the seed potatoes–Kennebec and Red Pontiac–and hopefully, fingers crossed, we’re good to go for this year’s potato crop.
(Wednesday: Momma Bear)
I Applaud You For Doing This Project! My Idea Is Get A Old Table About The Same Size And Put Side’s On It And You Will Have The Same Thing!
Thank you! Sounds like you have an interesting plan. I’d be curious how it works and whether you need to cut out the table top for the potatoes to grown down. Check back and let us know how it goes! ~Sarah
Just what I was looking for! My wife and I wanted to grow potatoes in a barrel, but we need a barrel. I have a lot of random scrap wood in my barn. Just the other day I suggested to my wife that I just build a box and add sides up as the taters grow. This was an awesome post as now I have plans and a picture!
How many eyes did you plant in your box?
I’m glad I could help; let me know how it goes! I planted 9 seed potatoes…I’m not sure how many eyes. I may have planted too many, but we’ll see. Something more to learn. ~Sarah
Very Cool! Will add it to the “Salad Bowl” and “Salsa Bar” that are already in the ground.
Thanks! ~Sarah
Can you do this with sweet potatoes?
Hello! I came across this post while searching for ideas on potato boxes. Any updates on harvest? I would love to hear how your taters grew 🙂 ps, we are baby preppers, in laws are pros 😉
They did well, as they grew taller we continued to cover the leaves with dirt and they continued to grow. Then when we were ready to harvest we unscrewed the bottom sections and dug into the dirt to remove the potatoes. The only obstacle we encountered was remembering to water it, the top was too high for the sprinklers to reach so it had to be watered by hand.
She wanted a potato growing box, so I found your plans and asked if that is what she wanted. She gave the thumbs up, so I built it today with a modification. Instead of having her deal with screwing and unscrewing the open side as she filled it and to harvest, I mounted those boards with a hinge on one side and latch on the other, it works pretty well, we will see about once it is filled.
Sounds like a great upgrade! Let us know how it works out for you.