This is not a definitive guide to growing a giant potato as competitive growers are, quite rightly, very secretive about the exact tricks and techniques they employ which are often based on years of trial and error.
What is on offer here is a ‘helping hand’ from Clive who has described and pictured the tools employed so that you can at least have a go and be in with a chance but you must expect to fill in some of the gaps yourself!
Take a large plastic barrel which are often easily obtained from local sources or from ebay sellers although postage can be expensive.
Cut out a panel along the length of the barrel and drill a few drain holes though the barrel on the opposite side to the panel.
Cut out a window of approx 8″ x 10″ from the panel
Select a potato; consider a variety used as a baking potato and blight resistant.
Start your selected potato off around February – March in a 5 litre pot with the bottom cut out. Turn the pot upside down and fill with compost and sit the potato on top. Do not overwater or your seed potato will rot.
Half fill the barrel with good quality compost mixed with your chosen fertiliser and replace the access panel. Once the seed potato is growing, place the contents of the chitting pot into the barrel, fill up the remainder of the barrel and replace the access panel.
Remove the panel to access your giant potato in time for your allotment competition or horticultural show.
Weigh your potato and hopefully collect your prize!
Good Luck!