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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04 Nov 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
IT IS NOT SAFE TO EAT THEM. It is caused by the potato being exposed to the sun. In future keep the potatoes covered with soil to stop this happening.
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17 Oct 19, Alan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
When do they harvest potatoes
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18 Oct 19, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
15-20weeks from planting. Read up on the internet. HOW TO GROW POTATOES
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12 Sep 19, Stephanie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have potatoes growing in last years patch, from some left behind and unharvested. They look healthy, will they give a reasonable crop or should I pull them and put new seed potatoes in?
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13 Sep 19, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Preferable to plant something different each year in the same bed. Let some grow and plant some new ones and compare what they produce. Gardening is about trying things.
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03 Sep 19, lia (Australia - temperate climate)
how much water does potatoes need every week, month or year?
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04 Sep 19, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A good watering 2-3 times a week. Watering would depend on climate zone - how hot or cold the weather is, a cloudy or sunny day, small or large plants. Small plants small watering more often, large plants longer watering less often. Small plants only have short root system - soil dries out. A 4m row of small plants may only require a minute or two whereas large plants may require 3-5 mins.
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23 Aug 19, John G (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I re use soil where potato crops have failed due to poor fertiliser and not using seed potatoes? Im concerned about diseases/fungus. Thanks
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26 Aug 19, (Australia - temperate climate)
If they failed then you may have disease/fungus. Have good rich soil before planting and give a good watering twice a week when they are established.
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29 Jul 19, hazel (Australia - temperate climate)
i have very strong looking potatoe plants growing in my compost. Will i have potatoes on them.they have been growing all winter.
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Showing 101 - 110 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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