I’ve Discovered the Most Charming Way to Grow Potatoes in Containers – It's a Dream for Small Gardens

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love the humble potato. A few years ago, I even dramatically declared that “potatoes make life worth living”. There’s never a time when there isn’t a stash of these perfect carbs in my kitchen, ready to be chopped into fries or roasties, or whipped into the fluffiest mash.

What I don’t love, though, is how enthusiastically spuds can grow, popping up where they’re not wanted and quickly turning a tidy lawn into a bit of a nightmare. As a renter, I’ve avoided growing my own for years, worried about accidentally taking over the garden. That’s why I was so excited to come across this charming solution from influencer Nicole Burke on her Gardenary Co's Instagram – and you can see exactly how it works in the video below.

All you need is a whiskey barrel to create an aesthetically pleasing potato container that keeps your crop contained and your garden intact. Here’s everything you need to know about planting potatoes using this charming idea, with expert insight from the pros.

Why Grow Potatoes in a Whiskey Barrel?

Growing potatoes is an amazing way to have a kitchen staple on hand, but if your yard is on the smaller side, it can be hard to find space. Planting them up in a whiskey barrel is a great remedy for this, providing a spacious container for your potatoes that doesn't take up too much square footage.

Gardening expert Steve Corcoran from Lawn Love explains why it's important to give potatoes their own designated area away from other plants and the lawn. "People often make the planting mistake of forgetting that potatoes need a more controlled environment than other root vegetables to ensure they don't take over your lawn or other plant beds. They can grow incredibly quickly with little care and become a problem if they aren't being properly contained."

A whiskey barrel is perfect for containing all types of potatoes, as the structure is sturdy and deep, allowing the potatoes plenty of room to develop strong roots.

Using a whiskey barrel to grow potatoes is also a great way to keep pests away from your produce.

As David Joles, chief operating officer at PURCOR Pest Solutions, explains: "Pests like voles, moles, pocket gophers, and even certain insects like mole crickets, make their way around through digging tunnels under the ground, which means they can get to your plants from below. So, when you grow your potatoes in a whiskey barrel, you prevent that from happening, because all of the soil is contained within that barrel."

How to Do It

The whiskey barrel potato setup is incredibly simple and only requires a few things to get started: your whiskey barrel, a drill, and some burlap. From there, you just need to add compost and seed potatoes, and you’re all set.

• Whiskey barrel – if you're struggling to find an old barrel from a thrift store or fleamarket, this set of three wooden planter barrels from Amazon is a good price.
• Seed potatoes – these Gold Rush Russet and Yukon Gold Seed Potatoes are popular, well-rated options.
• Drill – the FADAKWALT Cordless Drill is portable, easy to use and comes in four different colors if you don't already have a drill.
• Burlap – you'll have plenty for present and future projects if you purchase this Gardening Burlap Roll.
• Compost – this R&M Organic Compost is filled with plant-beneficial ingredients.

After selecting your whiskey barrel, drill a minimum of four holes in the bottom and then flip the barrel back over so it's standing up. These holes will ensure that excess water is able to escape from the soil, because otherwise your potatoes may rot.

Next place a couple of layers of burlap at the bottom of the barrel, ensuring that the holes you just drilled are completely covered. This will stop your soil from falling through the holes but it's important not to use too many layers or water may have a tough time draining.

Now you're ready to add your soil or compost and seed potatoes. It's recommended to begin with a layer of organic compost before adding your seed potatoes in around six inches apart. Then cover them over completely with soil, water, and wait for them to sprout. Don't forget to water your seedlings!

What Other Containers Can I Use?

You can technically follow this method using any container that's waterproof, spacious and deep enough to allow your potatoes to properly form roots. It needs to be at least 18 inches (46 cm) wide and deep. Growing potatoes in bags is a popular method. My dad has gotten creative before and used an old wheelbarrow and spare plastic storage containers to grow his crops. He's also considered using an old tire for a creative look.

I can't wait to try out this stylish container gardening solution, and I hope you'll enjoy it just as much!