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

27 Nov 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Go for it Jenny! There is still plenty of growing time and you could plant them later still. Potatoes can be harvested as 'New' potatoes a month after flowering so even if winter comes early you will still have that 'Old' potatoes are harvested after the tops die down and will keep for longer.
02 Nov 16, ken barker (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Ive tried to grow potatoes twice, but tiny and not many. I have very little sun in yard. Is this the problem? Grow them in containers
30 Dec 16, Paul (Australia - temperate climate)
It sounds like they have been planted too close together
22 Oct 16, Pete (Australia - temperate climate)
When the potatoes are about 6 weeks from planting and are doing well and are about 30cm high, do I trim off the lower leaves before banking up. Next question is.............as I have a lot of 10 litre plastic drums, if I cut the bottom out of these, can I put them over the plant and start to 'Bank-up' inside them.
02 Nov 16, Steve G (Australia - temperate climate)
Don't bother removing lower leaves just heap up soil.You can use buckets over plants ,I would make sure soil drains well with some compost and handful of blood and bone .
11 Oct 16, RON TANDAPU (Australia - tropical climate)
I am a vegetable farmer from the Highlands Higher altitude area of Papua New Guinea 1200 m above sea level and very cold and humid weather rainfall is consistent all year around . What type of potato can be to suitable to be grown in this kind zones or areas? And also need few advice on pest and disease control. Thanks, RON, PNG
02 Oct 16, Bryan Urquhart (Australia - temperate climate)
Told cannot grow Potatoes in Tyres how about growing in 55litre plastic garbage bins with bottoms cut out and Air holes in the sides, do not have a large area to use. Need help before time runs out, Live in Temperate Zone. PLEASE THANK YOU QUICK .
04 Oct 16, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
They will grow fine in bins. You don't need holes in the side. You could just make some drainage holes in the bottom instead of cutting the base right out.
01 Oct 16, Gerry (Australia - tropical climate)
Can I grow potatoes in my area Ingham in North Queensland, and if so what time of year.?
09 Sep 16, glider (Australia - temperate climate)
It's september 2016, can l grow potatoes in last summers tomatoes bed?
Showing 231 - 240 of 561 comments

How much sun do potatoes need.. Can they be planted in the morning shade and evening sun

- Lee Godfrey

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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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