How to Build a Potato Cage

You can grow your own potatoes even if you only have a small amount of space to work in.

Growing your own vegetables is an economical and environmentally friendly alternative to purchasing from the store. Of course, not everybody has the kind of space necessary for growing a variety of vegetables, particularly the kinds that need to be spread out. You can make your own simple potato cage and be growing potatoes upright, in a small space instead of having them spread out in rows.

Things You'll Need

• Mesh chicken wire
• Wire cutters
• Metal ties or heavy rope
• Hay
• Seed potatoes
• Reed screening (optional)

Instructions

1. Cut mesh chicken wire to approximately 5 feet long by 4 feet high.

2. Create a circle by overlapping the two 4-foot high ends.

3. Attach the ends using metal ties or heavy rope.

4. Flatten the area where you intend to place the cage. Place the cage down on the flattened area.

5. Place approximately 2 feet of hay or straw on the ground, lay seed potatoes on top and cover with another 3 inches of straw.

6. Water straw and continue to add more as the potatoes grow.

Tips & Warnings

• Wrap reed screening around the cage to protect the potatoes from pests and animals. Include compost in the first layer of hay to help encourage growth.

References

• gardening-tips-idea/com: Growing potatoes in hay, Best way to Plant Potatoes in Hay
• Tipnut: Grow 100 lbs. Of Potatoes In 4 Square Feet: {How To}