Growing Potato

Solanum tuberosum : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                P P P  

(Best months for growing Potato in South Africa - Summer rainfall 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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28 Jul 15, etelka. (Australia - tropical climate)
When is the best time to plant potatoes in gold coast ....
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01 Aug 15, kath (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted tubers on 1st july and they are already growing. My large potato tub is looking like trees at the moment as all the potato tubers have sprouted. I find this to be a good time of year to plant tubers. I'm located in Brissie.
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20 Jul 15, clark (Australia - temperate climate)
When do we plant potato seed Tasmania
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27 Jun 15, Rusty (Australia - temperate climate)
Now is a great time to plant spuds in SA.
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27 Jun 15, Albi (Australia - temperate climate)
The only substance of real concern leached from tyres is zinc that is essential for tuber development. In marginal areas the tyre is the difference between a crop in winter or none at all.
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09 May 15, Eren kara (Australia - temperate climate)
the following answer is not based on scientific research but my own experiences . In temperate regions of Australia you don't get the deep penetrating frosts of the northern hemisphere so I say to you that go ahead and plant your potatoes into the ground about the second or third week in June ,if you're growing on a small scale you may be able to provide some kind of cover in an extreme situation but not to worry even if you see shoots turning black the business end oh a potato is under the soil and it will be fine .
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06 May 15, bill (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi,it's early June,can I plant potatoes now,frost can go down to about minus 4 some times,thanks
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06 May 15, sue (Australia - temperate climate)
What is the best time to plant potatoes in melbourne vic?
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14 Apr 15, gaynor (Australia - tropical climate)
When is the best time to plant potatoes on the gold coast....
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13 Apr 15, jan guest (Australia - tropical climate)
question..i live in darwin have brought back seed potatoes[sebago] just want to know information on how to grow with tyres,ferterlizers to use. thank you.
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Sweet potato farmers here grow sprouts by “bedding” seed potatoes in March. This is done by placing the whole potato in the ground, covering them with a thin layer of soil and plastic. Sprouts will be cut and transplanted from the greenhouse or bedding field to a different field in May or June. It takes approximately 90-120 days without frost to grow a sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are ready to dig 90-120 days after sprouts are transplanted. Around here in August the rows are plowed and sweet potatoes are flipped on top of the ground. Most sweet potatoes are cured. Curing changes starches in the sweet potatoes into sugar, making it sweeter and the skin tougher. It takes 4-7 days of 80-85̊ temperature and 80-90% relative humidity to cure sweet potatoes. After being cured, sweet potatoes are stored at temperatures between 55-60º F and 85% relative humidity. This special storage process is why sweet potatoes are available 365 days a year here in USA. Here in North Carolina, USA sweet potatoes are shipped all over the world. It is one of our largest farmed food crops. I hope this helps... ~Melinda

- Melinda Schwab

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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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