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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06 Nov 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Sorry can't help you - try planting late April early May next year.
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26 Oct 18, Tony (Australia - temperate climate)
Thank you Steve and Mike. Your comments much appreciated.
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17 Oct 18, Tony (Australia - temperate climate)
As an expat Pom 52 years in South Australia, the only thing I still miss is is traditional "new" potatoes, with thin papery skins that can be removed with a fingernail.. They had a wonderful texture and tasted sensational. Only available in March/April, an annual treat. My question is, is threr a variety available here with these qualities and when would they be planted?
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20 Oct 18, Steve (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Tony, Sadly no, there used to be a supplier in SA but I can not find any trace of them now. A couple of things to mention: Kipfler and Pink Fir Apple can be quite similar if grown quickly, secondly the traditional Jersey New and Jersey Mids were certainly grown with massive amounts of fertilizers so I am not sure if that sort of thing is acceptable these days even if they still grow them in Jersey. Cheers from another old Pom
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17 Oct 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I'd suggest you try and find the name of the potato you liked. Then look up potato varieties on the internet. I think most potatoes fresh out of the ground have a thin skin. If you are temperate climate plant Sept Oct and harvest 15-20 weeks later. Try seed selling companies.
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10 Sep 18, Kashmir Singh (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Which is the best month to plant potatoes in upper north island of New Zealand, please ? Also I understand that the seed potato must be sprouted before it goes in the ground. What is the sprouting procedure please? In a cool dark place or any other suggestions you may have for me. Many thanks.
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11 Sep 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The north tip of NZ is sub-tropical. Not a lot of difference to temperate. The year monthly calendar says when to plant. It best to plant potatoes that are starting to sprout. Go to a nursery or farm produce place and buy from them. Plant in a furrow and fill the furrow in as they grow and then hill the soil up around the plant.
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28 Aug 18, Niresh (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Which area is ideal for potato cultivation and where i can go for the cultivaton over 50acres of land
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30 Aug 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try the internet for growing potatoes in NZ.
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08 Aug 18, Ross Duncan (Australia - tropical climate)
What potato varieties will grow in the tropics? I live in Cairns & want to plant potato but not sure which type will grow here.
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Showing 131 - 140 of 561 comments
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It depends -- not all potatoes are suitable for towering (layering). Additionally, I have found that the potato plant SPENDS A LOT OF ENERGY GROWING UP, UP, UP, as you cover its leaves with soil (leaves have specialized cells designed to collect light - and why you would want to cover them with soil is beyond me this is not really a good move -- leaves are not roots). My recommendation is: if you have a DEEP PLANTER bag starting at about six inches from the bottom -- in sort of a pattern that looks like the 5 on a die (dice) -- make about 3-4 inch round holes -- and make them on the sides that receive light keeping the holes about 10 inches apart (6 inches away from the bottom and 10 inches away from the top of the bag). Fill the bag with a good soil/compost/manure mix of some kind -- starting from the bottom -- when you are level with a hole, place a seed potato there, level or slight below the bottom lip of the hole, and about 3 inches from the side of the bag (so there is soil between the potato and the hole) -- continue up until the bag is full -- the top layer of potatoes can be planted as usual. Yes, the soil will come out of the holes ... not to worry -- just be sure that the soil covers the topmost holes by at least 6-8inches. That is - each potato planted in the bag should have access to a WINDOW (air and light) OR those planted on the top layer (like a usual planting) should be down about 9 inches or so. The Key to this planting is ALL potatoes need to be able to put leaves somewhere -- they will follow the air and light to find that spot -- all potatoes need water -- so you will be watering from the top of the bag only (like a potted plant) -- but you water DEEPLY, since the water needs to make it to the very bottom potato plants -- so maybe you water every 5 days or so... depends on the soil, temperature, amount of light , amount of wind/air (which whisks moisture away), Additionally, ensure there is drainage at the bottom of the bag .... maybe a two inch hole directly at ground level. It might be better to use a crate of some kind.... rather than a bag...anyhow this set up will work with any kind of potato plant without consideration as to whether or not it can handle towering. Hope this helps. Conversion of inches to cm : 1 inch = 2.5cm

- 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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