Growing Potato

Solanum tuberosum : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

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

(Best months for growing Potato in USA - Zone 7a 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

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16 Jul 22, dz (USA - Zone 10a climate)
I live in Zone 10A and have been growing russet and golden potatoes in grow bags and large containers here for about three years, and I notice I can plant them year-round and they will grow, just slower in winter, and if we get an occasional frost, it may kill the top, and when temps hit around 100 or hotter the potato tops may die off also. No matter what time of year, my potatoes often grow for a few months and then the tops start to die off no matter the season or conditions, but I don't know why, so when that happens, I'll reduce the watering for a couple weeks and then harvest. I try to do "succession" planting, so I always have some potatoes growing, and am still experimenting with what works best, especially trying to learn more about correct watering for the Zone 10A conditions. I do have better success, producing more and larger potatoes, with 10-20 gallon and larger containers than the 7-gallon fabric grow bags.
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17 Jun 22, Anonymous (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Check the planting times for your zone.
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13 May 22, Kathy Blackburn (USA - Zone 7b climate)
What sweet potato is good for zone 7b Long Island NY
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18 May 22, anonymous (USA - Zone 7b climate)
Probably any.
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27 Apr 22, Lynne Mortensen (Australia - temperate climate)
I have had some sprouting potatoes given to me. Can I plant them now? If not, will they keep to August?
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02 May 22, (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes plant them now.
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25 Apr 22, Tania Santamaria (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, can you advise on a first early potato to plant. I can only seem to find mid or late varieties when I goggle. Thanks. I am moving to NSW Bega valley area in June.
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26 Apr 22, Anonymous (Australia - temperate climate)
Your planting guide is Aug to Oct so I don't really see the point in an early variety. Planting is about soil temperature and after the likelyhood of frosts.
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23 Apr 22, Dionne Dixon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have to say that potatoes also grow amazingly well with parsley. They seem to be great companions.
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08 Nov 22, Peter Chapman (Australia - temperate climate)
They also taste amazing with parsley garlic and butter.
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Showing 61 - 70 of 820 comments
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I live in Southern California Zone 10A and grow potatoes year-round in bags and containers, anywhere from 5 to 15 gallons size. I have found what works well for me is to put about 4-6 inches of good soil in the container, lay a few seed potatoes on top so the slips are pointed up, about 12 inches apart, then cover them with about 4-6 inches of soil, and water moderately or they will rot. These potatoes will only produce new tubers in the soil about 6-12 inches above the original seed potatoes, so when the plants are about a foot above the soil, if I have any new add seed potatoes and the container has enough room, when I add more soil I may consider adding a few more seed potatoes that will produce "baby potatoes" above the older tubers, then cover them with another 6 inches of soil that will also bury more of the new growth of the first seed potatoes. Doing this stimulates more growth, and I may even add even more soil as the plants get taller depending on the depth of the container. I don't always add the second layer of seed potatoes, but doing this produces a few larger potatoes below (Baked Potatoes!) and a lot of smaller potatoes above them, and they are all excellent eating. I am growing Russet, Golden, and Red potatoes in containers, but I think they are all determinant varieties since they are all started from potatoes purchased in grocery stores, and each plant only produces tubers in the area near the seed potato, but do not continue to produce tubers as the plants get taller no matter how much more soil is added. I am still learning as I go, such as "location, location, location!" is making a noticeable difference on how successful my efforts are, and I would like to find an indeterminant variety potato that will grow well in Zone 10A.

- dz

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