A half whiskey barrel holds about 25 gallons of potting mix. I have "successfully" planted one seed potato per five gallons of mix in containers ranging from 20 to 50 gallons. I say successfully because I've never produced a large crop in a container. The best yield I got was growing red norlands in a container that was wider than it was deep. I got close to 15 pounds of potatoes per seed potato. Potatoes don't really need more than about 12 inches of soil, and do better if they are more widely spaced. One caveat about whiskey barrels is that you have to use very fast draining soil and make sure your barrels has a lot of drainage holes. Soggy soil is a killer.

Ok thanks for that. Yes I have great drainage in these with excellent soil. I came across this article as well: http://gardenclub.homedepot.com/plant-potato-barrel/

So as I understand I basically cut the potato into cubes and plant it with the eye pointing upward, correct?

I'm no expert, but I think you'll do best with two or three eyes per piece. I prefer to use whole seed potatoes that are about the size of a chicken egg. There's less risk of rotting that way. I chit them by allowing them to sit out and produce short, sturdy sprouts before planting. This can take a couple weeks. If you search on potato towers on this forum you'll find a lot of interesting discussions about growing potatoes in containers. If you're interested in a more in-depth discussion of growing potatoes in containers, follow the link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kenosha potato project

I conside a half barrel equal to 3 hills. So devide the barrel into 3 sectors and plant one set ot seeds (2) in each, half way from center to the wall.

Now How to plant :

Fill the barrel about half full. ( mixed in compost, manure , fertilizer as needed) . Remember that the roots will grow in and will draw nutrient from this portion of the soil (seeds level and below).

Plant the seeds about 3" deep.

Fill the barrel as the potatoes grow. This is equivalent to "Hilling" in ground. The hilling soil should be something fluffy , with NO fertilizer. It is there just to hold the tubers.

Seysonn