Potatoes in a barrel

I have no idea what youre even talking about and Im a gardener.

haulm (hôm)
n. Chiefly British
The stems of peas, beans, potatoes, or grasses.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Middle English halm, straw, from Old English healm.]

I had to look it up as well.

http://urbanext.illinois.edu/veggies/potato1.html

Hamburger gave us a wonderful link found on this thread:
http://able2know.org/topic/119750-1

I didn't know what it was until a few weeks ago - very confusing. I think gradual earthing up may be the way to go, otherwise I am going to have foot tall stems before the others reach height

potatoes are usually mounded to provide gradualt covering to their "haulm". They are a solinaceous plant , and like all plants in that family, will send out roots (and hopefully tubers) from covered sections of stem.
I just grow them in shallow soil and mound them with straw. The potatoes are cleaner and i pick them smaller for boiling. They get really flavorful. Ive seen some magazine articles on growing them in wooden kegs but I never tried them as a patio plant).

Good luck and gradually covering them in the barrel seems right.

Well, you will be pleased to know that I covered them all up, regardles of height, and they are all growing like mad through the soil again. I am now gradually earthing up every few inches - not far to go until they are at the top.