Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Potato Cages

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With Spring in the air, it is time to go outside (yes, I go outside sometimes)!

PHOTOGRAPHIC PROOF!  I was outside AND I exercised!

The past two years I have tried my hand at gardening.  I must admit I do not have a green thumb.  I have been able to grow beautiful plants, with blooms, but no fruit/vegetables develop.  I've done some research - either no pollination or bad dirt.  I'm going to work out a plan to fix those things.

In the meantime, I'm focusing on growing something that I can't mess up!  POTATOES!

I don't have a big garden- just a small raised bed.  I did some research and found that many people grow potatoes in a tall "cage."  I decided to try it out!

Here are the supplies I used:

10 feet of 4' garden fence
Cable ties
Straw
Compost (without manure)-6 bags
Potato seeds
2 PVC Pipes - about 3', large

The first thing I did was drill holes in the PVC pipe.  Ultimately, the pipe will be used to help irrigate the potatoes.  Drilling holes will allow water to filter throughout the cage.



Second, use wire cutters to cut the fencing into 2, 5 foot pieces.  Use the cable ties to secure the fencing into two round cages.



Start layering straw, and add compost.  As you add the dirt, the straw will go to the edge of the cage, forming a barrier.



Place the PVC pipe in the center-don't press down in the dirt or you will clog the pipe.  Make sure you layer the compost while balancing the pipe, otherwise the pipe will fall.  You will need to pack down the dirt around the pipe until it is secure.

Layer the potato seeds as you go.  I put about 5 seeds per layer-about 5-6 layers in each cage.



I made two cages.  I'll update the blog as the potatoes grow.  All of my research indicates that each cage will have about 25 pounds of potatoes.



Now it's time for a root cellar!


13 comments:

  1. Hi Jackie! I nominated you for a Liebster Award. If you are interested in more info, here is the link:
    http://justinawho.blogspot.com/2013/04/i-love-liebster-award-and-when-melanie.html

    Justina @ www.justinawho.blogspot.com

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  2. Great idea! I may have to try this. Thanks for visiting my blog!

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  3. Hi Jackie,
    I wanted to come over and become a follower since we are both co-hosting on Let's Get Social Sunday.
    I like these potato cages, I may just have to make some.
    Have a great weekend,
    Bev

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  4. Here from the blog hop. I had NO idea you could do this. Thanks for sharing!

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  5. I will admit I do not have a green thumb. I have actually managed to kill an Aloe Vera plant and they are one of the hardiest plants I know.
    Hi from your newest follower thanks to the Lets Get Social Sunday Linky Party.

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  6. This is very creative. If you wish, please add this to my Creative Monday Blog Hop when it is posted later today. All the very best with your potatoes. I love potatoes and will have baked potatoes with my Sunday lunch!:) I am already a Follower of your Blog but today I am visiting from Lets Get Social Sunday. Have a wonderful day.
    Judy - Judy H-J's Thoughts

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  7. Hi Jackie. I'm following you from the Let's Get Social Sunday party. I hope you'll visit Posed Perfection soon. Have a great week.
    Blessings,
    Nici

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  8. Hello Jackie. New follower from let's get social sunday. Would love for you to stop by and say hi!
    Leslie
    www.thememorynest.blogspot.com

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  9. Hi Jackie!! I'm your newest GFC follower through the blog hop :)) Hope you'll stop by and return the love!

    Paula
    lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com

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  10. Hi! Love those potato cages. What a great idea. New follower from Let's Get Social. :)

    Kathy
    lifeonlakeshoredrive.com

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  11. OOH! I found your blog over at Let's Get Social Sunday and I'm SOOOO excited! I went to a gardening class yesterday and people were talking about growing potatoes and I was thinking that I wish there was a simple way to make a potato cage/enclosure, because everything I've seen looks so complicated.

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  12. Searched your blog, but did not find a follow up on this. How did it turn out? How many pounds of potatoes did your tower produce?

    Thanks!

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Thank you for your comments! I appreciate all feedback!