I plan to grow potatoes in a tall plastic garbage barrel this year. (The barrel has a drain hole in the bottom and a series of 2-3 inch diameter holes in its sides.) I was disappointed with last year's results so I pose the following questions to the group:
Do I correctly assume that watering requirements are greater when growing vertically like this? Is there some technique that helps retain moisture for this type of planting?
As the plants grow, should I fill the barrel with more soil, or should I use straw/leaves instead, or some layered combination thereof?
How much of the tops of the growing plants should I leave exposed as I fill in, or do you just bury them completely as they grow?
How quickly should I fill in? IOW will the harvest be less if the stalks are exposed to air and sun for more than some particular amount of time?
Thanks,
J.