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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12 Jun 19, (Australia - temperate climate)
A produce agency (Farming) - Bunnings, Nursery.
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15 May 19, KATIE KERETO FEATHERSTONE (Australia - temperate climate)
I got some old spuds that is started shooting can I plant them now??
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09 Jan 19, Girdhari. C (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I’m in south America , Suriname , I’m Looking for a type of potatoes Which can be grown in hot Tropical climate, Has any body an idea for me, Thanks a lot & happy gardening, Greetings Cg.
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10 Jan 19, Mike (Australia - tropical climate)
Search around on the internet - growing potatoes in Suriname. From similar hot Australia plant 2nd month of Autumn.
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19 Dec 18, Shona (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Some of my potato plants are going yellow. Planted 7th October. What can I do do save them.
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20 Dec 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Probably running out of N and it is very hot and dry now if you are missing the rain like us. Potatoes should be planted a lot earlier for a spring crop - late August very early Sept. Harvested by now.
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24 Nov 18, Graham Bower (Australia - temperate climate)
I started planting a variety of spuds mid Aug in Melb, normally after frost danger was over. End sept when plants were around 15-20cm high we had severe frosts and plants got badly burned off. Surprisingly, they recovered well only to get hit hard again 3 weeks later, Once again they recovered. I have just started ferretting out a few early spuds and the crop looks like being one of my best ever. Has anyone ever tried reducing leaf growth by removing some of the tops to see the effects on the crop?
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25 Nov 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Was it an unusual cold Spring with the frosts? Probably reduce leaf growth by cutting back the N. Last year I put up 3 pieces of 3/4 (what's missing Mike?)
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26 Nov 18, Graham Bower (Australia - temperate climate)
Most unusual to get frosts this late or this severe here. What I am getting at is the fact that nature has given me a reduction in top growth and a consequent terrific crop. Later crops have good but not excessive top growth, quite normal, in similar conditions and soil prep. Unsure about crop as yet.
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28 Nov 18, Mike L (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yes I know what you are saying - nature works in a funny way a lot of the time. I use to think produce a good big plant and it will produce a great crop - doesn't work that way though. A balance between the right season, sunlight, nutrient, water etc. You probable had good nutrient which made up for the lack of leaf.
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Sorry for the late post -- I think I have the information you are looking for. First NOT ALL potatoes are suited for "tower" growth. So the first question would be how deep are your bags; if the bags are deep enough to be considered a tower, then you need to cross check this with the variety of potato you are growing. Second: when you plant a piece of potato (seed potato) this is your LOWEST POINT. Generally, a potato plant will not produce/store and tubers (potatoes) BELOW the level of the seed potato. This is why people plant the seed potatoes, wait for the green leaves to come up, and mound soil, always leaving enough leaves sticking out to collect light. You'll also note at harvest, that the lowest potato seems to have rotted; this was your seed potato that grew the plant. We plant the seed potato shallow, so the leaves get to the sun sooner/easier and start collecting light; then we mound the soil so there is room for the potato plant to set its tubers (potatoes) -- this means, that you plant you seed potatoes at the bottom of the sack, covering them with several inches of soil, and as the potato plant grows, you add soil.... always try to leave plenty of leaves sticking out of the soil so the plant can collect sun. Hope this help. From the Eagle Creek site (about their tower potato mix): Not all types of potatoes are suited for container growing, typically fingerling and late season varieties yield best. Bellanita, Bintje, Amarosa & German Butterball are the 4 varieties in this package.

- Celeste Archer

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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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