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Potatoes feed billions of people worldwide, and 300 million metric tons of potato crops are grown globally every year. They are an extremely versatile starchy vegetable adapted to fit with dozens of cuisines. People love potatoes, so it's no surprise you want to try to grow your own. Potatoes are notoriously easy to grow, but you still want to provide an environment where they thrive; potato grow bags fit the bill perfectly. Potato grow bags are perfect for those who don't have a lot of garden space and can be placed indoors or outdoors. Our team has compiled a list of the best potato grow bags on the market, and the ANPHSIN 10 Gallon Potato Grow Bag takes the best overall spot. It's at the top of our list because it has a 10-gallon volume capacity, an access flap window, bottom drainage holes, and handles that make moving the bag much easier.
Our Top Picks For Potato Grow Bags
The Best Potato Grow Bag Buying Guide
These days, almost anything can be bought pre-cooked and pre-packaged. Although we have to admit that these frozen meals are incredibly convenient, it is also true that they are very processed and unhealthy. By using a potato grow bag to grow your vegetables at home, you can achieve a much healthier diet with a lot less work. Instead of tending to an entire garden, you only need to keep track of the vegetables you have planted in your potato grow bag.
However, deciding what to look for when buying a potato grow bag can be a confusing task. To help you make this decision, we have prepared this comprehensive buying guide highlighting the key features of the best potato grow bags in 2021.
What Is a Potato Grow Bag?
A potato grow bag is a container made up of cloth or plastic in which vegetables can be grown. The bag has enough space to allow produce to spread its roots as well as layer a large amount of soil. It typically features a transparent flap to allow ease in harvesting potatoes once they are ready. Although the name suggests this bag be used to grow potatoes, other salad crops like tomatoes, onions, and carrots can be grown in it as well.
To learn how to use a potato grow bag, you can check out this video from HortTube with Jim Putnam:
Why Should I Use a Potato Grow Bag?
Potato grow bags are much more convenient than a traditional garden setup. They are both portable and universal to any setting, so you can easily move them indoors and outdoors if you desire. They also resist overwatering and root bounding by design. All in all, they are a great time-saving alternative to a traditional garden.
What To Look for When Buying a Potato Grow Bag?
Potato grow bags are relatively simple in design but can come in tons of variations in terms of size, material, and quality of potato grow bags on the market. This can make it even more difficult for a beginner, in particular, to decide what aspects to keep in mind when shopping for a potato grow bag.
In this case, the best thing to do is break down the core features of a typical potato grow bag, studying each category individually before setting out to buy one. Below is a list of the most important aspects to look for to avoid a disappointing purchase.
Material
Potato grow bags are essentially large containers in which vegetables are grown. The material of this container can have a big impact on the experience of growing your plant.
Potato grow bags are typically made up of either Polyethylene, plastic, nonwoven cloth, or even felt. Each material offers different benefits to the user. For example, if you prefer easiness in cleaning, using a potato grow bag made up of PE or plastic is a better choice. However, if you would rather your potato grow bag be eco-friendly, the biodegradable cloth or felt material offers much more.
Capacity
Potato grow bags come in all different shapes and sizes, with one of the most important features being the capacity of the bag. This is typically specified in gallons, with the most common size being about 10 gallons to grow potatoes and carrots. Not paying attention to the capacity of a potato grow bag before buying can lead to unnecessary inconvenience.
Extra features for convenience
Oftentimes people buy potato grow bags as a way to avoid the maintenance and cleaning that comes with tending to a traditional home garden. However, not all potato grow bags offer the extra features necessary to provide this convenience. These features include strong side handles, a transparent flap for harvesting, and ventilated holes on the bottom of the potato grow bag. Being aware of these features before purchasing your potato grow bag can aid you in making the right choice.
What Is the Average Lifetime of Potato Grow Bag?
Depending on its material and quality, the lifetime of potato grows bag can vary greatly. If the potato grows bag is made up of a harsher material like PE or plastic, it can last anywhere between 5 and 10 years. You can reuse the potato grow bag after every season, even using it to grow a different crop each time.
If a potato grows bag is made up of biodegradable material like cloth or felt, however, the lifespan will be much lower. On average, they last about 2 to 3 seasons. This is because the material used in manufacturing the potato grow bag is much softer and can be more difficult to clean and maintain during harsh weather conditions.
People Also Asked
How often should I water the vegetables growing in my potato grow bag?
Potato grow bags tend to dry out much faster than the soil in a home garden. This is due to the improved water drainage it offers as a result of ventilated holes in its design. To keep the soil in the bag appropriately moist, you will need to water it more than you may be used to. The ideal amount for growing healthy potatoes in a potato grow bag is between 1 and 1 and a half-inch of water every week.
Can I only grow potatoes in my potato grow bag?
A potato grow bag is not limited to growing potatoes. Most salad crops grow quite well within a grow bag, including vegetables like carrots, onions, turnips, and radishes. To decide whether a plant would grow well in a potato grow bag, make sure it has shallow roots and does not grow too tall.
How can I use a potato grow bag indoors?
As mentioned earlier, potato grow bags are quite convenient in the sense that they are portable and can be used anywhere in your home. If you want, you can even move your potato grow bag indoors and watch your plant grow from close-up. However, you will need to keep track of the location of your growing bag, making sure it is placed in an area with optimal sunlight. A saucer or bowl should also be placed underneath the potato grow bag to catch the excess water seeping out from the soil.