This is my first year growing potatoes. Based on various research, I understand that some connection with the soil can give better yields (presumably because the potatoes can benefit from the goodness stored across a large volume of earth) but that they are easier to harvest from containers (tip the container out and there are all the spuds).

I have decided to combine the two. I am using old compost bags turned inside out (the black lining looks better than revealing the brand advertising). The bottom is slit open for a good interface with the bed beneath and some soil is packed in to hold each back in place. The tube has then been filled about halfway with a mix of compost and the contents of a Miracle-Gro organic potato grow sack (ratio 3:1). The rest of the bag can be topped up and rolled up as the plants grow.

At the moment I have one planted up with the three unidentified tubers Robert gave me. They were sprouting healthily so, given that the spot is reasonably sheltered, I decided to get them out. Indoors I am beginning to chit the rest of the tubers I have in my stash and I have three more tubes reading and waiting with the tops folded over to protect them. I realised I had more tubers than I expected so I might add a couple more bags to the bed before I am done to prevent overcrowding.