The genius of the potato bin is that soil is added to the bin as the potato plants grow. As the plants grow up, more soil is added, and more potatoes form underneath. Potatoes can be harvested along the way, or at the end of the season.
Build the Potato Bin
The first thing to do is form a cylinder with wire fencing. Fasten the ends together with pieces of wire. It doesn't have to be perfect, or very tight. The minimum diameter is about 18 inches. The next step is optional, but recommended for arid climates. Line the bin with an old tarp or plastic, and poke holes in the bottom for drainage. Once again, it does not have to be perfect.
Choose Potatoes
Potatoes originated in the Andes Mountains of South America. While a few varieties can be found at the store, hundreds more exist. Potato varieties fall into 5 groups: russet, red, yellow, white, and purple. Russets are starchy and good for baking and mashing. Red potatoes have a thin skin and are lower in starch. Yellow potatoes have a buttery flavor. Whites are another low starch variety and are good for use with cheese. Purple potatoes are purple or blue in color and have a nutty flavor.
Be sure to use seed potatoes, not ones from the store. Store potatoes are treated with sprout inhibitors, and may carry disease.
Add Potatoes
Plant potatoes 4-6 weeks before the last frost. Place 3-4 inches of straw or soil, at the bottom of the bin. To get more bang for your buck, cut seed potatoes in half or quarters and plant each piece. Each piece should contain an eye, or sprout. It's best to let newly cut potatoes sit out for a few days and scab over. Plant potatoes in the bottom of the bin about 6 inches apart. After the potatoes are planted, cover with 3-4 inches of soil or straw. Water in.
Continue to Add Soil
After the potatoes sprout and begin growing, add soil. When the plants are 6 inches tall, add 3 inches of soil or straw. Water enough to keep the soil moist. Continue to let the plants grow, adding more soil as the plants grow. Keep the soil loose. Potatoes like loose soil, and it makes harvesting easier. Add compost in with the soil to give potato plants necessary nutrients. An all-purpose, organic fertilizer helps too.
When to Harvest
Potatoes can be harvested whenever they are ready. The soil in the bin should be nice and loose. Reach in, dig around, and grab a potato. Potatoes can also be harvested at the end of the season after the top dies back. By this time, there is a bin full of potatoes to harvest. Best of all, potatoes can be harvested with the hands, which leaves them undamaged.
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