What are the dimensions? How deep is it?
For an equivalen of a hill you would need something with a surface area of +1.5 sq-ft(about 15" x 15"). The dept should min.16".
One drainage at the bottom will be enough, provided it is not blocked by sitting on the groung.

In such a container you can plant up to 4 seeds, equally spaced. If it is smaller you will have to plant less seeds.

Thanks,
It is one of the plastic tubs with rope handles that can be purchased at the big box stores.
I will measure one the next time I am there.
I do know the depth is at least 20 inches.

I have a fair number of those tubs with handles. They work GREAT for potatoes - just remember to drill a bunch of drainage holes. You can see pictures of all my spud buckets at the web link to my blog below - they're doing really well!

Here is a link that might be useful: My 2010 Garden Blog - please have a look!

Here are my "trash Can Buckets" (bottom cut off and sunk into the ground) ..

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Potato Raised bed

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The biggest thing so far that you have to be concerned with is; drainage, potatoes don't like it too wet. The second thing is temperature as they dont like it too hot, which is why I have to wait until august for me to start mine. I would also add gravel to the bottom on top of the holes.

Your original question all depends on how may seed potatoes you plan to plant in one of them? ;) Don't put the 2 different varieties in the same container and no more than 3 or 4 seeds in each.

Dave

Thanks everyone!
I did end up planting potatoes experimenting with different containers. I used a trash can and layered as the plants grew.
I am trying tires. I am also doing pots and tubs.

I did keep all the varieties separate and put only 2-3 per container.

I planted them in mid to late March and all are healthy and green but I fear with the early hot spring we have had my containers may have gotten too hot to produce many potatoes.

Some of my potatoes plants have already bloomed but I have not felt inside the pot to check on any new potatoes.

Why not put more than one variety in the same container?

Because different varieties grow at different rates, may produce potatoes at different levels of the plant, and are harvested at different times. In the garden in different rows it's no problem but in small containers you could easily reduce production or damage or even kill the plants of one variety while harvesting another.

Dave