Growing Potato

Solanum tuberosum : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

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

(Best months for growing Potato in Australia - temperate 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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25 Oct 13, brian (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
the company that markets the kestrel potato bag is from south Australia and the reason for stating not for planting is to stop you growing them. I purchased the very same bag and waited until the potatoes sprouted and then planted without any problems whatsoever
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25 Sep 13, Joerg (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi Potaoeplanters! I live in North East Namibia and here the potatoe supply by the two supermarkets is very poor. Could someone maybe give me an advise where i could order which seedlings for this area? Thank you for your time and effort Cheers Joerg
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27 Jan 14, sue (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
livingseeds to buy potatoes. Find them on the internet
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07 Jan 14, penelope (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
you can get seed potatoes by mail from www.livingseeds.co.za , hope this helps!
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22 Sep 13, sarah (Australia - temperate climate)
Im a little late planting my spuds and im a first time grower. Im just wondering if I should water once they are in the ground or wait. Also how much water? Im really confused on this one. Thanks.
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20 Sep 13, Bill (Australia - temperate climate)
I have tried to grow potatoes several times, not very successfully, my leaves grow up to almost a meter in height, but there are very few tubers underneath. Also my potatoes do not seem to flower, and the leaves get attacked by some insects or bugs. I used a very rich soil and mulch; is there too much nitrogen?
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14 Sep 13, Dennis (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, the potatoes were planted around three weeks ago, but have noted that they have been attacked by ??? which has eating the young leaves, there are also holes now in the bigger leaves. Any suggestions, also they have left holes in the broccoli leaves. Regards Dennis Western Aussie
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19 Oct 13, Jan (Australia - temperate climate)
I lost all my potatoes to slaters last year. They decimated the leaves. I think they must have been attracted to the mulch I used but decided that the green tops were much more flavoursome. We have heard that they have become a problem in WA. We are in the south west.
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17 Sep 13, Catherine (Australia - temperate climate)
It might be the 28spotted ladybeetle. They love anything in the Solinaceae family - potatoes, tomatoes, capsicum, eggplant. I get alot of them in summer, and I just pick em off and squash them. I don't know what their predator is, but if you encourage alot of other insects to your garden they might balance themselves out. Check on the undersides of leaves too for little yellow and black larvae and squish them too.
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02 Oct 13, (Australia - temperate climate)
You shouldn't squash the 28spotted ladybeetle as they are not the victims as they eat the other insects and not the leaves. They are not a "pest" but a helper.
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That's a big subject! I'd say it depends on what you're trying to achieve. Do you just want a few really good veggies? Do you want to grow as much of your daily food as possible? Does your garden need to be aesthetically pleasing? There are lots of books on container gardening, you could try browsing your local library online. If space is limited, I say think about which veggies you love the most, which are pricey at the store, and which are most improved by eating fresh. Basil and salad greens for instance, are very easy to grow but very overpriced at the store. Corn and tomatoes are so much better homegrown. Whereas potatoes and onions are cheap at the store and not THAT much better homegrown so they're only worth it if you have plenty of space to devote. My advice for a beginner would be to start small and manageable, and build on that each year. Maybe this year buy a couple of Earthboxes or DIY a knockoff, and just grow a few of your favorite veggies. This will also reveal what some of your challenges might be. For instance my first year raccoons ate all my sweet corn, that taught me I would need a good fence in the future. ;-)

- colleen

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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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