Q: Why are my plants tall but I have no potatoes?

My Diagnosis: This is a classic container problem. The cause is usually one of three things: 1) Too much nitrogen (all leaves, no roots), 2) You didn't "hill" with soil (the stems weren't buried, so no tubers formed), or 3) You used a shallow pot for a late-season variety that needed more room.

Q: Can I reuse the soil next year?

My Answer: Yes, but with two rules. First, amend it heavily with fresh compost, as the potatoes will have used most of the nutrients. Second, do not plant potatoes (or their relatives, like tomatoes or peppers) in that same soil again. Rotate your crops, even in pots, to prevent disease.

Question 1

Why are my plants tall but I have no potatoes?

Accepted Answer

My Diagnosis: This is a classic container problem. The cause is usually one of three things: 1) Too much nitrogen (all leaves, no roots), 2) You didn't "hill" with soil (the stems weren't buried, so no tubers formed), or 3) You used a shallow pot for a late-season variety that needed more room.

Question 2

Can I reuse the soil next year?

Accepted Answer

My Answer: Yes, but with two rules. First, amend it heavily with fresh compost, as the potatoes will have used most of the nutrients. Second, do not plant potatoes (or their relatives, like tomatoes or peppers) in that same soil again. Rotate your crops, even in pots, to prevent disease.

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