Growing potatoes

[Vics128]

Does anyone know if you can grow white potatoes (the ones from the supermarket) in England, (my back garden to be precise), in a dustbin?
Hugh Furnley Whitingstall makes it sound v easy, but doesnt mention if the sprouting potatoes in my kichen will actually produce anything more than a rotten sprouting potatoe if planted.
Thankyou in advance!

[Hawkwalk]

yes it is possible but not a good idea. Best to buy seed potatoes as these will be disease free and will give a higher yield.

[kwicky]

Is it worth the effort for such a small yield?

[Thunderbird+]

You may be interested in these 'Patio Potato Barrels'

http://www.garden4less.co.ukproddet.asp?prod=P BAR

[CSG2306]

Hi Vics 128,

Make quite a few drainage holes in your dustbin.

Put some old crocks and stones in the bottom to assist drainage, and cover the bottom with a good compost.

Place a quantity (according to the size of your dustbin) of seed potatoes on the bottom and cover with about six inches of compost.

When the green shoots from the potatoes show above the compost, cover them with more compost and keep doing this until the shoots rise above the top of the dustbin.

Obviously you must keep the compost moist all of the time, do not overwater.

You will eventually end up with a dustbin full of potatoes.

Regards

[YvonneM]

When setting potatoes you must choose a variety that is an early crop you need to get them now put them in a tray in the house somewhre until they start to sprout These should give you some nice new potatoes