Growing potatoes in sacks or bags is a great way to grow your own vegetables when you do not have adequate space or soil - you can even grow them on a balcony!.

Potatoes, or as the Scots call them, “tatties” do not grow well in very hot conditions - which I know is not likely to be a problem where you are. They do, however, require at least 6 hours of sunlight every day to ensure the tubers develop optimally - having lived in Glasgow I know that this may be more of a problem! In the UK, they should normally be planted in March for harvesting summer-autumn, or you can plant later to aim for a Christmas harvest. Just be sure to choose an area in your shared garden that receives plentiful light - south facing is always best.

You can grow potatoes in almost any type of bag or container as long as it is deep enough, burlap sacks work well, just remember to cut some drainage holes. You will need to get hold of some seed potatoes to get started. Seed potatoes are simply tubers which are planted in place of seed. They are used as many potato varieties will not show the characteristics of the parent if grown from seeds and must therefore be propagated vegetatively. You can order certified seed potatoes from various online companies such as Thompson & Morgan http://www.thompson-morgan.com/vegeta... You can use potatoes that you buy at the supermarket for this too but they are more prone to diseases.

Once you have your seed potatoes you may choose to sprout them prior to planting to get a head start on the growing season. This process is known as “chitting” and simply involves placing the seed potato in bright light (such as a South facing window) and allowing shoots to emerge. This process is not essential, but can be beneficial for early varieties. Otherwise, all you need to do is plant your seed potatoes whole (eyes facing upwards) or after cutting into smaller pieces (known as seeds; each piece should have 2 or 3 eyes and should be dried overnight on the kitchen counter prior to planting).

Plant the tuber or seed pieces in a sack filled 1/3 of the way up with potting soil by covering them with a few inches of soil. Roll the sides of the sack down to be just about level with the soil to provide the plants with light and make planting easier. Once planted, water the soil until it is moist, but not wet. Aim to keep the soil moist as the plants grow. Once the shoots are about 1 ft tall (this may take several weeks), roll the sides of the sack up to below the leaves and add more soil. Mound it up around the stems. You can repeat this if the plant grows sufficiently more before harvest. Allow the plant to continue to grow and flower. Eventually the plant will die back, indicating that the potatoes are ready for harvest. Simply cut open the sack and pick out the tubers. You can cure the potatoes by laying them out to dry for a couple of days before cooking.