We saw a post like this one at the beginning of the spring and loved it! We’re always trying to use our vertical space more efficiently.
We had initially thought we would do towers but then decided a long, narrow wall would take less time to build while still accomplishing its our original purpose…more potatoes in less space.
We’re planting blue potatoes this year.
We started by burying 6 long branches into the ground (about 2 feet deep) to make a rectangle about 6 feet long and 18 inches wide. We are using chicken wire (leftover from another garden project) to keep the straw in place.
The bottom of our potato wall has about 2 inches of rich top soil and compost.
We placed the spuds on top of the soil and covered them with more soil.
Then the kids put an initial layer of straw over the soil.
Two weeks in, our potatoes are really taking off!
We go out about every other day to layer more straw in. The idea is to elongate the root system which will produce more potatoes. When we’re ready to harvest, we’ll cut open our wall and clean potatoes will come tumbling out! No digging required. At least that how it goes in our heads. We’ll keep you updated.