This project was built and designed by Mike from Oregon Makers. It’s a compact potato box that shows how vertical growing can dramatically increase your harvest—even in small garden spaces.
Mike’s approach focuses on efficiency, accessibility, and simplicity, making it a great weekend project for gardeners and DIYers alike. By growing upward instead of outward, you can maximize yield with minimal square footage.
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Why a Potato Box Works
Traditional potato gardening requires long rows and a lot of soil. Mike’s potato box takes a smarter approach by using a stackable wooden frame that encourages vertical growth.
The design helps potatoes form along the stems as more soil is added. This increases the total harvest and reduces the overall space needed—ideal for urban gardeners or anyone working with a small backyard.
General Materials and Tools
The frame is built using basic wooden boards and weather-resistant screws. While Mike doesn’t list exact dimensions in the video, the concept is easy to replicate with sturdy lumber like 2x6s or 2x8s and a few pieces of scrap wood for bracing.
Most of the build can be completed using a circular saw or miter saw, a power drill, and a tape measure. You don’t need a big shop or specialized equipment—just accurate cuts and tight joins.
Building the Frame
The base of the box starts as a simple square or rectangular frame. Additional frames are stacked vertically as the plants grow, giving the structure a tiered design that adds height while maintaining stability.
The key is designing the layers to be removable. Once harvest time arrives, unscrewing the bottom boards gives easy access to the lower levels of soil, making digging unnecessary.
Each layer is built with matching dimensions so they can be stacked interchangeably. This modular design also makes storage and seasonal reuse more convenient.
Planting and Soil Prep
Potatoes are planted in the bottom layer once the structure is assembled and partially filled with soil. Mike recommends starting with healthy seed potatoes, placing them a few inches apart across the base.
As the plants sprout and grow taller, more soil is added around the stems. This process—known as hilling—encourages new tubers to develop along the buried portions of the plant.
The layering continues every time the plants reach about 6 to 8 inches in height. This allows gardeners to keep adding soil and stacking frames without disturbing existing growth.
Managing Moisture and Fertility
Potatoes need consistent moisture, especially when grown in containers. The box’s vertical design means gravity plays a role in water drainage, so regular monitoring is essential.
To keep the plants healthy, Mike suggests using compost or organic amendments to enrich the soil between layers. Good drainage and airflow also help prevent rot and mold, two common issues in container growing.
Mulching the top layer can also help retain moisture and reduce evaporation, especially during hot spells.
Harvesting Made Easy
One of the best features of Mike’s design is the ease of harvest. Instead of digging into the soil, the lower boards can be unscrewed for direct access to the potatoes at the bottom.
This process is not only cleaner but also less disruptive to the remaining plants if you choose to harvest gradually. You can remove one layer at a time or take the whole box apart from the bottom up.
The structure can be reused for multiple seasons, and since the layers are modular, storing it during the off-season is simple.
Tips and Troubleshooting
Choosing the right potato variety makes a big difference. Some cultivars perform better in vertical setups than others. Look for varieties known to produce along the full stem rather than just at the base.
Pest prevention is also important. Check for signs of disease, insect activity, or poor drainage throughout the growing season. Container gardens can attract pests if not properly maintained, so regular checks are a good habit.
Mike also notes that while pressure-treated wood lasts longer, some gardeners may prefer untreated lumber for food safety. Either can work depending on your personal preferences and intended use.
Final Thoughts
Mike’s potato box is a simple and smart project that lets you grow a surprisingly large harvest in a very small space. With thoughtful layering, basic tools, and a bit of patience, it’s possible to yield up to 100 pounds of potatoes in just a four-foot footprint.
This type of project is perfect for families, beginners, or anyone experimenting with small-scale food production. It’s practical, low-cost, and a great way to get more from your garden without expanding your footprint.
Watch the full video and subscribe to Mike’s channel: