A potato tower helps to maximize the yield of potatoes in a small area. Therefore, the potato tower should not be missing from any permaculture garden. Below you will find out how to create your own potato tower step by step.
What is a permaculture potato tower?
A permaculture potato tower is a space-saving method of growing potatoes by creating different layers of compost, garden soil and potatoes in a tower with a casing. There are variants such as the potato tower with door, the growing potato tower and the classic potato tower.
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 will need:
- larger stones to anchor the potato tower
- Compost
- Garden soil
- Leaves, chopped material, straw or tree cuttings
Your potato tower also needs a casing (€15.00 on Amazon). Fine-meshed wire mesh is often used for this. If you prefer a natural option, you can weave a tower out of tree cuttings and line it with straw or something similar so that the soil doesn't trickle out.
The variants of the potato tower
Not all potato towers are the same. There are different variants, all of which will help you achieve a bountiful harvest:
The potato tower with door
If you are handy, you can add a wooden casing and a door to your potato tower. This means you can 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 with soil and only place one layer of potatoes. Then it's time to wait. When the first green appears, add a layer of soil several centimeters thick. Then wait again. If there is another sign of green, add more soil etc. until the tower is full. So instead of leaves between the layers, potatoes will form.
The classic potato tower
If you don't feel like keeping an eye on the potato tower and constantly topping up the soil, you can opt for the classic version:
- Form the shell of your potato tower and place it in the desired, sunny location in your permaculture garden.
- Attach the potato tower with stones.
- Then add a layer of hay or tree clippings to the tower and add some compost on top.
- Now place the potatoes on the edge in a clockwise direction. When 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 on the 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 harvest.
