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 50°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 12 - 16 inches 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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13 Aug 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Look under sweet potato guide on the website. Potatoes you plant in a furrow and then hill up as they grow. Sweet potato you plant in a hilled up bed. Best thing is to have a try.
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06 Aug 17, William Mc Carthy (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I plant potatoes in normal potting mix. I have mixed it with perlite and Coco husk for drainage? It's in a 1.2M X 600mm veggie container.
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06 Aug 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Type in different ways to grow potatoes and read. Different ways give different results. You would have to keep the water up and probably use a lot of it.
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13 Jul 17, Mutebi Joseph (United Kingdom - cool/temperate climate)
How can I get potato seeds in Uganda E.Africa??thanks.
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16 Jul 17, John (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Your question is a challenging one because of disease that are affecting potatoes in Uganda. I suggest you contact your Agriculture Department or look up 'potatoes' on the internet to find healthy seed. It may be listed as 'Certified' seed which means that it is disease free. Trust this helps.
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17 Jun 17, zamo (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
can i grow potatoes on same land that i use to grow sugercane ?
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04 Jun 17, Carole (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I live in Brisbane and want to to grow potatoes in pots. When you say mound up do you mean to full cover the shoots each time or to just under the leaves
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05 Jun 17, Giovanni (Australia - temperate climate)
Just leave the growing tip exposed. Potatoes form off the main stem of the plant, not the roots. Mounding up provides space for the tubers to develop and reduces the chances of attack by potato moth.
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26 May 17, Harare (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
How can I fight or chase away the moles eating potatoes underground?
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29 May 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
True moles are insect eaters. It is more likely that rats or mice are eating your potatoes. I would try laying rat and mice baits or traps and see what happens. Some of the newer vermin baits are enclosed in small sachets and you will know if they are chewed that you are getting the culprit. Make sure the baits cannot be reached by children or pets and keep laying them until there is no more chewing. All the best.
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sammy when your potatoes have reached a few inches high get a garden how and pull the soil up either of the plants sides that will give the plant the soil to grow in.I would have worked horse or cow manure into the soil before planting the normal guide to plant potatoes is the first week of Aug' that will give you spuds just before Xmas and plant again 1st week of march.It's best not to plant 2 crops in the same soil

- Dallas

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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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