tater box

Hi this is Justin Brock at the Red Bird Mission Grow Appalachia.

This week we had some great volunteers that helped build us somethings. We had them to build tater boxes for a couple of our elderly members that have raised beds, so that they can have a place to grow potatoes and not take all their space in the beds.

We got the design off face book for the boxes. It looked like it would work so we are going to give it a whirl.

First you will rip a 2×4 into a 2×2 then cut them into four lengths of 33″. Cut 2×6 bords into 12 lengths of 21″ and 12 lengths of 24″. pre-drill the holes in the 2×6 boards and attach the bottom row on the 2x2s.

Then you will have to clear you a spot on the ground. Place your box and fill with soft soil or mulch, planting the potatoes four inches deep.

When the vines are about 12 inches above the soil, add another row of boards and fill with dirt, being careful not to cover more than one-third of the plant. Repeat this until the box is completed.

To harvest your potatoes remove the screws from the bottom board and carefully reach in for the potatoes. Replace the soil and boards. Next time you need potatoes remove the second board and rob spuds from that level and so on.