Those 5 gallon buckets for potatoes sounds good. They would be perfect for me. Can I use any type of potato or do I need to use a seed potato? I sure do like new red potatoes!
Once the plant reached 6-inches tall I stacked another tire on top (sidewall removed) and filled in around the plant with more soil. I repeated the process after it grew another 6 inches. When the plant started to die back I lifted the tires and picked potatoes. Out of one tire I got 15lbs. Some varieties did better than others, but all told I got around 60lbs the first year. Now I do all of my potatoes the same way and get a couple hundred lbs a year.
This is a great way to grow potatoes as the tires tend to keep the soil at an even temperature, and the gaps between the tires provide a way for the soil to drain. I haven't had any problems with deer around the potatoes either. Not sure, but I think they just don't like the rubber. I haven't tried it with sweet potatoes yet, but might.
Reds are ideal, especially if you are after the “new” potatoes. (delicious) A hint, if you use compost and not soil you can reach “down in” and harvest young tender potatoes with out disturbing the plant.
Again .. I am not so much interested in the potato harvest as I am in the aesthetics of the plant in buckets for my perennial beds. The buckets are covered by vine and the texture of the plant is incredible and adds another dimension to my landscape.