Growing Potato

Solanum tuberosum : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      P P              

(Best months for growing Potato in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Plant seed potatoes
  • Plant tuber. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 30 - 40 cm apart
  • Harvest in 15-20 weeks. Dig carefully, avoid damaging the potatoes.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Peas, Beans, Brassicas, Sweetcorn, Broad Beans, Nasturtiums, Marigolds
  • Avoid growing close to: Cucumber, Pumpkin, Sunflowers, Tomatoes, Rosemary

Your comments and tips

08 May 23, Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 5a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
I'm not certain if the initial question is using the correct terminology or not... there are so many different ways to categorize things. If it is determinate verses indeterminate -- then it is like tomatoes -- the indeterminate are like a vine, and continue to grow - which means they CAN BE towered ( but don't have to be) and they will continue to put out "layers" of tubers as you hill up. However, indeterminate potatoes can be grown as determinate.... you DON'T HAVE TO tower or hill up -- so long as you plant the seed potato deep enough. You can get more potatoes per square foot of real estate out of the indeterminate type of potato, but it does take longer. So you need to think about - time verses space verses growing methods.
11 Apr 23, Delwyn Bradley (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Can potatoes be growen all year round
01 May 23, (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
No
19 Apr 23, (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Read the planting guide at the top of the page.
15 Mar 23, Loreley dunwell (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Where can I buy seed potatoes, please. We are in the Lockyer valley. Last year we grew sebago and had a wonderful crop but can’t find any at the moment,
31 May 23, Rebecca (Australia - tropical climate)
Happy Valley Seeds has some at the moment
21 Mar 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try some produce agency (supplies to farmers of farming stuff), then a nursery or on line.
05 Mar 23, Phyllis Wright (Canada - Zone 8a Mild Temperate climate)
If I plant my potatoes now, do I keep them in my unheated garage which gets a bit of light or put them outside where we are still getting below 0 temperatures?
06 Mar 23, Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 5a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
Potatoes can go in the ground now -- the cold temperatures won't do anything to them. In fall when I harvest my potatoes I tend to miss a few (those little tiny ones) -- and they are in the garden all winter (sometimes temps drop as low as -10c) and they still grow. Generally speaking, potatoes can be planted as soon as the ground can be worked. Don't forget to add lots of potassium (also called potash) to the soil.... potatoes LOVE potassium.
24 Feb 23, Richard (USA - Zone 7a climate)
I'm planting potatoes in root bags. When should I plant (indoor) and when can they be left outside?
Showing 31 - 40 of 820 comments

In sub tropical you can grow an Autumn and a Spring crop. The guide above says plant Aug to Oct. They also plant about May in Bundy - sub tropical.

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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