I finally finished my build as you grow potato bin.  Better late then never I hope.  If you have been following my blog or are a gardener in MN you know we have had a late season and boy am I behind this year.  This is our first time growing potatoes and I know it's very late in the season, but I figure it's still worth trying. It was so easy and inexpensive!

Build as you Grow Potato Bin

Supplies

• (2) 8'x1 1/4" wood cut in half
• (16)3"x6' cut into 3 pieces (each piece is 3"x2') to go up 2 ft on the box, (I would start with that and add more later if needed
• (50) wood screws
• A drill
• 4 potato eyes
• compost
• peat moss
• clamps

Instructions:  Make sure to pre drill holes before screwing in with the drill.  I purchased my wood at Home Depot and had them cut the wood in the store, so come to the store with your measurements it's a real time saver, especially if you don't have a table saw!  Follow the steps below:

First Step build the base, Second Step screw in the poles

Make sure to screw the poles in the same direction of your other screws

Step 3: use clamps while drilling section to poles

You're Done!  Fill with compost and peat moss and plant

Mix 1 part peat moss to 1 part compost.  Make sure that it is well integrated and then place potato eyes up with 2-3" of soil mix covering the eyes.  Potatoes should be 1 per square foot according to the SQF (Square Foot) method so I figure 4 potato plants should fit in here evenly spaced.  Make sure to place in a sunny area and water very well after planting. Once the potatoes start to grow you can add another layer of the 3" wood sections, and add more soil mix and so on.

Update: If your plan on storing your potato bin indoors for winter like me, I would suggest adding a bottom to the bin made of cedar.  I figured this out this fall the hard way and plan to fix this before I plant this spring.

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