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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15 Mar 18, (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes I'm aware of that.I think I will try late March and see how it goes in a potato planting bag
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01 Feb 18, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Spuds are shooting in pantry. . .does that mean I can plant them now in North Central Victoria?
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05 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A good indicator if shooting.
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26 Sep 22, Irene (Australia - tropical climate)
Just wondering, though ... wouldn't your 'climatic conditions' be different in your pantry than in your 'outdoors'? Just because the 'climate' (temp etc) was ok in the pantry, would that necessarily mean the climate/soil temp etc would be suitable? Secondly, what are other's thoughts on planting potatoes chitted in the dark of a pantry .. wouldn't the sprouts be 'leggy' (light starved) and weak?
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29 Jan 18, Ava (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I live in emerald area and want to plant potato in a raised garden on concrete and was wondering if they will go well in the ground if planted now
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31 Jan 18, Katie (Australia - arid climate)
They will grow better in Winter
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02 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A commercial grower in Bundaberg (about a 6 hr drive south of Emerald) plants in May. Emerald would be a drier place than Bundy and colder in winter. In Bundy they grow two crops sometimes, an Autumn and a Spring crop. Sweet potatoes are grown all year here also.
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30 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
You talk about a raised bed and then say plant in the ground. Leave it until March April.
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23 Jan 18, yabbay hahn , epping nsw, (Australia - temperate climate)
in my little plot, soil is clay, hard as rock,,SEP2017 turnd it over 10cm, coverd it with lawn cuttings, from old compost, waterd it daily 1 week, turned soil over again,coverd patch ,,1 inch of cuttings,, layd old potatoes on the surface, coverd them with a few inches of grass cuttings, a quick water in morning, and at sunset, just enough to wet the grass cuttings,.. each week, or when ever I mow lawn, the cuttings go on the patch, .the foliage is large, beautiful flowers, have been picking since dec,, its a personal choice, I love them just bigger than a golf ball, , wait for a hot dry day,, let them lay in sun all day, bring them in before night,
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23 Jan 18, Clark (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have had potatoes in the garden for a few years now. They just seem to be growing wild in the garden. Actually they are running amok. I was just thinking of turning the crop over and starting again with manure and mulch. Should I actually dig all the crop up and replant in an organized fashion or is it OK to just plant and harvest and enjoy nearly all year round.
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Showing 151 - 160 of 561 comments
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Potatoes should grow well in Hobart. Plant the tubers in spring when the soil has started to warm up a bit. Sprouting to get the potato started gets it off to a start. it is probably not necessary, as it wouldn't happen naturally, but does give the tuber a good start.

- Giovanni

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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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