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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03 Apr 20, Genevieve (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Potatoes are normally planted in mid to late spring when the possibility of frost is over.
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07 Feb 20, Claudia Muscat (Australia - temperate climate)
Can i plant potatoes in February? I m in NSW Wollongong area
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09 Feb 20, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Check here for suitable planting times www.gardenate.com/plant/Potato?zone=2
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06 Feb 20, Margareth Parua (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Where can I buy sequoia potato seedlings?
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06 Feb 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You actually buy seed potatoes. That is actually a potato to plant not a seed.
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06 Feb 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Look up seed selling companies, nurseries, farm produce agencies.
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03 Feb 20, tristan kawau (Australia - temperate climate)
this so helpful
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05 Jan 20, Sarah-Jane Wicks (Australia - temperate climate)
We used seed potatoes to grow Kilgore in our school garden. As the tops have now died off we harvested them today, only to yield Ferny tiny potatoes. Less than 300g from a whole 3.6m x 1.2m garden bed. The potatoes were watered a minimum of 4-5days per week, were regularly fertilised and grown beside sweetcorn. How did this go so wrong. We yielded less than the bag of seed potatoes that we planted. The soil was beautiful and rich. We mounded around the growth for the first 6weeks. So disappointing. Any help greatly appreciated.
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06 Jan 20, Anon (Australia - temperate climate)
I would say you over fertilised them way too much, and probably too much water. That would produce a lot of leaves and little potatoes. In future prepare the ground adding manures compost etc., don't over do it though. They WILL NOT require any more fertilising. When young a lightish watering each day or two. When bigger a good watering 2-3 times a week, depending on temperatures. Put your figer in the soil to see if wet or dry and water accordingly.
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03 Nov 19, Woza (Australia - temperate climate)
Are the green potatoes safe to eat? I always get a few in my crop
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Showing 91 - 100 of 563 comments
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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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