2026 Potato-in-a-Bucket Challenge

Start : Now
End : Friday 10th July
Cost of Entry : £2

The content of this post is via Mike Libby:

The seed potatoes for the 2026 challenge have been sourced and are ready for you to take part in this bit of village fun! Young or old, done it before – or not – it really doesn’t matter….

The challenge is open to all Stubton residents and also to members of the Stubton Hub Social Club.

The simple aim of the competition is to grow the greatest weight of potatoes from a single seed potato planted in a bucket.

All monies raised by this challenge are donated to a local charity of the winners choosing.

A “bucket” can be any receptacle – but in order to keep it manageable and comparable – no more than 12 litres of compost is to be used. This will be judged visually by the weigh-in team. As always, the ‘judges decision’ will be final !!

All you have to do with the seed potato is to leave it somewhere to chit and, when you think that the time is right, plant it up in your bucket, give it an appropriate amount of attention and encouragement (commensurate with your desire to win the accolade of Champion potato grower) and present it, still in its bucket, for the official weigh in.

The weigh in is provisionally set for Friday 10th July 2026 at Stubton Village Hall – after which you get to take your potatoes home to enjoy.

For the £2 entry fee, I will bring you – or you can even come and select them yourself – two seed potatoes for you to work your magic on. That said, all proceeds will go to charity – so do feel free to be generous !!

Only one seed potato per bucket entered – and one entry per person. So, with the 2nd potato you can have a ‘working spare’ in case of any calamity – although that will possibly result in the challenge to decide which one to enter for yourself…….and what to do with the other one….?!

The focus will of course be on who can achieve the greatest weight of potatoes from one seed potato – and there may well be a couple of other accolades.

All proceeds will go to a local charity of the winners choosing.

Mike

Information gleaned on how to win (note that this information is general in nature):

Growing a prize‑winning potato in a bucket is one of those deceptively simple competitions where the tiny details make all the difference. You can absolutely dominate it with a bit of method and timing.

Choosing the right setup

Bucket size: 30–40 L works best. Too small and you restrict tuber formation; too big and you waste compost.
Drainage: Drill 8–12 holes in the base and a few around the lower sides. Potatoes hate sitting in water.
Variety: Early or second‑early types usually win bucket competitions because they bulk up fast.
Great choices: Rocket, Swift, Charlotte, Maris Peer, Nicola.

Compost mix that actually wins

A light, fluffy mix encourages more tubers:

60% multi‑purpose compost
20% well‑rotted manure or soil improver
20% perlite or fine bark to keep it airy
Add a handful of slow‑release potato fertiliser (high in potassium)

Planting technique

Put 10–12 cm of compost in the bottom.
Place one seed potato (two max if the bucket is huge).
Cover with 8–10 cm of compost.
Water lightly.

The “layering” trick (this is where people win)

As the plant grows:

When shoots reach 15–20 cm, add compost up to just below the top leaves.
Repeat this 2–3 times.
This forces the plant to produce more stolons → more potatoes.

Watering schedule

Keep compost evenly moist, never soaked.
In hot spells, water every 1–2 days.

In cooler weather, every 3–4 days.
Always water deeply so moisture reaches the lower layers.

Feeding for maximum yield

Once shoots are established, feed every 10–14 days with a high‑potash liquid feed (tomato feed works perfectly).
Stop feeding once flowers appear.

Light and temperature

Full sun gives the biggest yield.
If you can, rotate the bucket occasionally so all sides get light.

The secret competition edge

Start early indoors: chit the seed potatoes for 2–3 weeks until the sprouts are short and sturdy.
Warm compost at planting gives a faster start.
Mulch the top with straw or bark to keep moisture stable.
Don’t harvest too early: wait until the foliage yellows and collapses.

Harvesting without damaging your haul