Lazy Bed Potato Planting Method

Last year I grew potatoes in towers. The towers were constructed of wire fencing material rolled into columns. Each tower was lined with fabric and rebar was driven into the ground close to each tower for support.

6"/15cm of shredded leaves from the previous autumn were alternately layered in each tower with a layer of seed potatoes.

A 12"/30cm layer of growing medium was placed atop each tower into which was planted a grape/patio tomato. This proved to be a mistake. I was unable to harvest the potatoes when they were ready for harvest because the tomatoes were still producing.

Although, for the season, the grape tomatoes were productive(13.2 lbs/6.448k), I was disappointed with the potato production (2.11 lbs/1.031k).

This year I planted a few potatoes from the towers harvest of last year, combined with some sprouting potatoes from a bag of commercially grown potatoes found in my pantry. However, I used a different planting method.

I had a supply of sod I cut during the process of preparing the second raised bed site. This reminded me of a method of potato planting told to me by an Irishman who was raised in the Wicklow mountains outside Dublin, the Lazy Bed.

Basically, to make the lazy bed, potatoes are placed on the ground atop the grass. The sod next to the potatoes is dug up and flipped over onto the potatoes. Easy right? Sounded easy to me. Plus, I already had sod cut.

I chose a site close to my second raised bed. I decided to use the same footprint of my raised bed, 4'/1.21m square, for the lazy bed.

I placed four potatoes in a row, each 12"/30cm from each other. I also placed a drip irrigation tube in each row. The drippers are conveniently spaced 12"/30cm apart which made the potato spacing easy.

The previously cut sod was then placed atop the rows of potatoes.

The overturned sod was then covered with 4"/ 10cm of shredded leaves. The mulch of shredded leaves will retain moisture, provide food and allow ease of weeding. Plus I had to move the pile of leaves off my patio.

I hope the production of potatoes will increase with this method. Time will tell.

©Damyon T. Verbo - all rights reserved

Grape Tomatoes 23 July 2012

I haven't spent much time in the garden because of the heat. Fifteen of the twenty-three days in July have been over 90ºF/32ºC. I worked outdoors for 34 years and I really don't want to go into the hot sun anymore than need be.

weather underground

I watered when needed but I haven't done much more than that.


I have been harvesting. Lettuce is all gone, several varieties of tomatoes, one cayenne pepper and two potatoes.


All the tomatoes are delicious. The cayenne wasn't as hot I it might be, but it was green. It had fallen off the plant when I took up the soaking hose and put down a new piece. The old hose sprung several holes which gushed water and the plot was not evenly watered because of it. The lettuce was great and the potatoes super.


To get the potatoes I just reached into the tower where a potato stem was growing, dug around until I felt a spud and brought it out. The potatoes were small, one the size of a golf ball.

Super Sweet

There are three grape/cherry tomato varieties, Chocolate Cherry, Husky Cherry and Super Sweet. So far, of the three I like Super Sweet the best. The skin on the Husky is too thick as was the skin on the Chocolate Cherry. They were the first of the season and I will give you my overall favorite at the end of the season.

The Super Sweet vine has really taken off and I had to tie it to the remesh I attached to the square foot plot support for the cucumbers and watermelon. It has grown quite long.


I hope the heat goes down below 90ºF for the remainder of the season. I really can't take the heat.


©Damyon T. Verbo - all rights reserved