Stop buying potatoes. Use this super easy method to get an endless supply at home

If you eat a lot of potatoes, you'll want to consider trying this method to grow some. This super easy afternoon project can end up feeding you and your family for weeks, and it requires only minimal care.

What's even better is that this potato tower can last throughout the growing season. Start one tower in spring to have potatoes through the summer, another in the summer to last until autumn and a final one in late summer to get you through to early winter. These towers keep warm and moist up until November, meaning you can feed your family even longer.

Select a sunny spot in your garden or yard for the potato tower. Potatoes require at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily to thrive. Once you have the location, prepare the site by removing any weeds or debris.

Construct a cylindrical tower using fencing or chicken wire. The tower should be about 2 to 3 feet in diameter and 3 to 4 feet tall. The height allows for ample space for the potatoes to grow vertically, maximizing the yield in a small area.

Line the bottom of the tower with a layer of straw, which will provide aeration and help with drainage. Next, add about a foot of nutrient-rich soil on top of the straw. Choose high-quality soil or enrich it with compost to ensure the potatoes receive the necessary nutrients.

Planting seed potatoes
Place the seed potatoes, which are small, whole potatoes or pieces with at least two eyes each, about three to four inches away from the inner edge of the tower. Plant them approximately six inches apart from one another. This spacing allows the potato plants enough room to grow without crowding each other.

As the potato plants grow, continue to layer the tower with straw and soil as needed, always making sure to leave enough space for the plants to develop. Add more layers as the stems grow taller, and the potatoes will form along the buried stems.

Consistent watering is essential for a successful potato tower. Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid overwatering, as excessive water can lead to rot. Applying a layer of mulch on top can help retain moisture and suppress weed growth, reducing the need for frequent watering.

After approximately three months, the potato plants should be ready for harvesting. To harvest the potatoes, start from the bottom of the tower. Gently remove the straw and soil as you dig out the potatoes. Be careful not to damage the potatoes during the harvesting process.

To ensure a continuous supply of fresh potatoes, practice succession planting. Start one potato tower in the spring for a summer harvest, another in the summer for an autumn harvest, and a final tower in late summer for early winter harvest. This strategic planting approach will allow you to enjoy homegrown potatoes throughout the entire growing season.