A potato tower helps to maximize the yield of potatoes in a small area. Therefore, the potato tower should not be missing in any permaculture garden. Below you will find out how to create your own potato tower step by step.
In the potato tower, more potatoes thrive in a smaller space
The construction of the potato tower
In the spirit of permaculture, you should use what is available in the garden for the layers of your potato tower.
You need:
- larger stones to anchor the potato tower
- compost
- garden soil
- Leaves, chaff, straw or tree cuttings
In addition, your potato tower needs a casing. Fine-meshed wire mesh (€14.99) is often used for this. If you prefer a more natural twist, you can braid a tower out of tree clippings and line it with straw or something similar to keep the soil from trickling out.
The variants of the potato tower
Potato tower is not just potato tower. There are several variants, all of which will help you to have a bounty:
The potato tower with door
If you are handy, you can add a wooden casing and door to your potato tower. This allows you to gradually harvest potatoes throughout the year without destroying the plant.
The potato tower that grows
One variant is to only fill the potato tower about a quarter full with soil and only plant one layer of potatoes. Then it's time to wait. When the first greens appear, put a layer of soil several centimeters thick on top. Then wait again. If it shows green again, add more soil etc. until the tower is full. So, instead of leaves, potatoes will form between the layers.
The classic potato tower
If you don't feel like keeping an eye on the potato tower and constantly filling up the soil, you can opt for the classic variant:
- Form the shell of your potato tower and place it in the desired, preferably sunny location in your permaculture garden.
- Fortify the potato tower with stones.
- Then put a layer of hay or tree clippings in the tower and add some compost on top.
- Now place the potatoes on the edge in a clockwise direction. If the potatoes are already sprouting, the shoots should point outwards so that the green grows outwards.
- Cover the potatoes with soil and add another layer of hay on top.
- Then again compost, soil and potatoes etc. until the tower is full.
The idea is that the individual potato plants grow outwards and form the potatoes inside. So you have not one, but many potato plants in a single potato tower.
After three to four months, the potatoes are ready to be harvested.