Grow Guide: Growing Potatoes in an Urban Space

Urban gardening, even in the smallest of spaces, can be a fulfilling and educational experience for both adults and children. Growing potatoes, a versatile and relatively easy-to-grow vegetable, is an excellent way to introduce the joys of gardening to your Little Maker. Here's a simple guide to get started, focusing on sustainability and the importance of organic gardening.

Step 1: Choose Your Container

• Grow Bag or Large Pot: Potatoes thrive in grow bags or large pots, making them ideal for small urban spaces. Ensure the container has adequate drainage.
• Sustainability Tip: Recycle old compost bags or large food-grade containers as makeshift grow bags.

Step 2: Select Your Potatoes

• Seed Potatoes: Use certified seed potatoes from a garden store such as The Seed Collective or your local nursery. They’re less likely to carry diseases than supermarket potatoes.
• Organic Gardening: Opt for organic seed potatoes to ensure a safer gardening experience, especially important when gardening with toddlers. 

Step 3: Prepare for Planting

• Chitting: Start your potatoes off indoors by ‘chitting’ them if they do not yet have any roots. Place them in a cool, light place to encourage strong shoots to grow.
• Soil Preparation: Use a mix of garden soil and compost. Ensure it's free from chemicals, keeping in mind the safety of young gardeners.

Step 4: Planting

• When to Plant: Start planting in early spring.
• How to Plant: Plant the seed potatoes about 15cm deep and 30cm apart. Cover them with soil.

Step 5: Caring for Your Potatoes

• Watering: Keep the soil moist, especially during dry spells.
• Earthing Up: Once the shoots reach about 20cm, pile more soil around them, leaving just a few cm of the plant above ground. This process is called ‘earthing up’ and prevents the potatoes from getting sunburnt.

Step 6: Harvesting

• When to Harvest: Potatoes are ready to harvest when the foliage starts to die back. This usually happens in late summer or early autumn.
• Harvesting with Kids: Make the harvest a fun activity for children. Let them dig through the soil to find the potatoes, teaching them where their food comes from.

Step 7: Enjoy Your Harvest

• Cooking: Celebrate your harvest by cooking a simple potato dish with your Little Makers. This full-circle experience enhances their understanding and appreciation of food.

Importance of Organic Gardening

• Child-Friendly: Organic gardening ensures that the environment your children are interacting with is free from harmful chemicals and pesticides, making it safer for their exploration and play.
• Eco-Conscious: It supports sustainable practices, teaching children the importance of taking care of the environment.
• Healthier Produce: Organically grown vegetables are free from synthetic additives, ensuring healthier and more natural food for your family.

Growing potatoes in a small urban space can be a delightful and educational experience, especially when shared with young children. It not only provides a sense of accomplishment and delicious produce but also instills in children the values of sustainability, patience, and the wonder of watching something grow from the soil to the table. Happy gardening, Little Makers! 🌱🥔