Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I grew potatoes and sweet potatoes in 5 grow bags last year, and here are my findings on the three brands that I used. All three brands bags are about the same size. TTDD Garden Vegetables Grow Bag Potato Planter Gardeners Grow Bags. This was the most expensive, and the biggest disappointment. First off, let me point out that the stock photo showing all of those white potatoes spilling out of the bottom access panel is hysterical because the leaves shown are sweet potato leaves, not potato leaves. Furthermore, you don't harvest potatoes until the foliage has completely died off. The access flap is actually a detriment because once the potatoes start getting larger, they actually push the Velcro closure open which exposes the potatoes to sunlight making them unusable. It is made of super cheap material, and a 5" seam came completely apart. I suppose I could try duck tape to use it again, but for the price, this is unacceptable. I would not recommend this bag at all. One star. Gardman 7505 Potato Tub 2-Pack, Green, 16" x 20". At two for $14.99, this was the best value. I had no problem inserting the round plastic band which I actually like because it makes the top somewhat sturdier to fold down, and slowly up as your potato plants grow and you add soil incrementally. It has small holes about 1" from the bottom for adequate drainage, and the seams are strong and well stitched with heavy thread. The plastic tarp-like material is sturdy, yet flexible for easy storage. The access panel is useless because the seam on the under panel is sewn shut with one small slit on the side, and the pressure of the soil makes it impossible to use. That actually doesn't bother me because I end up dumping the contents into a wheelbarrow anyway which makes sorting through the soil for potatoes easier, and clean up a breeze. They had no seams split, and I have potatoes growing in in them again this year. I would recommend this brand for the price and quality. Five stars. Tierra Garden 59-VIG12 Haxnicks Vigoroot Tomato/Potato Planter. At just under $10 each, this wasn't a bad value. I grew both sweet potatoes and potatoes in this brand. They are made of a heavy duty felt-like material with well stitched and sturdy seams. I think that the design would be better if they added drainage holes along the bottom sides. Theoretically, the fabric is supposed to solve drainage problems, but in practice, the bottom soil remains very wet, while the upper soil is dry. I actually used a moisture reader, and found this to be the case. Careful watering can solve this issue. Clean-up is a pain because of the material, and they take a while to dry in the sun. Do not plant sweet potatoes in this bag! The nature of the root system made it very difficult to remove the soil as the roots had somewhat fused into the bag. They lasted well, and I do have potatoes doing well in them again this year. Recommended with reservations. Three stars. I also have one of the really cute burlap grow bags that have a pretty picture of potatoes with a fancy "potatoes" image (I got these end of season clearance 90% off, so what the heck). I doubt these will work at all as they have exactly one gromet drainage whole in the center of a thin (think sandwich bag) loose plastic lined 3 foot diameter bag. Don't waste your money. I'm going to cut some drainage holes, and try sweet potatoes as a throw away at the end of the season. I also have some smart pots for other vegetables, and imagine they would work well with potatoes, but the fabric is much thinner than the Haxnicks, so they may only last one season. In summary, features like access panels are useless. Handles are also useless because the weight of the plants and soil make them obsolete. I do love growing potatoes in bags because still super easy and fun. Good luck!