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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28 Jan 15, Amy (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it too early in the year to plant now?
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30 Jan 15, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes, too early, wait to August...August to Nov/Dec should be fine.
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01 Feb 15, Amy (Australia - temperate climate)
Ok, thanks ! I hope I can wait that long!
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04 Nov 14, Natalie (Australia - temperate climate)
Do potatoes mind clay soil. I heard they grow anyway and will help to break up the soil
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17 Oct 14, graham (Australia - temperate climate)
i live in tasmania had a frost should i remove the dead parts from my potato plants all just leav them thanks
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13 Oct 14, Lachlan (Australia - temperate climate)
If I am doing no dig potatoes, do I need to use crop rotation?
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29 Oct 14, Genevieve (Australia - temperate climate)
Absolutely, can't plant potatoes in the same spot for 3-4 years unfortunately due to diseases.
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30 Oct 14, Lachlan (Australia - temperate climate)
But they are not in the soil.
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15 Nov 14, Genevieve (Australia - temperate climate)
Unsure what you have in your no dig, but used some manured soils, first time I did it , and was advised not to plants spuds in the same spot Now do it in bags, maybe a horticulturist could give you advise.
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24 Sep 14, Rowena (Australia - temperate climate)
How do I stop my potato patch from becoming a compost heap? I prepared my soil and when the plants emerged I put a wire cage around them (3ft). They then proceeded to quickly shoot up. I layered straw up around them until the plants reached the height of the wire. I watered the straw once by hand as rain has been good. Then yesterday - 3 days after the hand water - I discovered that two of my plants had wilted and on further investigation they had rotted off just below the first few centimetres of straw on top. I put my hand down into the straw and found it to be an oven - perfect for a compost heap. Should I poke holes in the mound to allow air to circulate? What can I do to save my other plants?
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Showing 301 - 310 of 563 comments
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That's a big subject! I'd say it depends on what you're trying to achieve. Do you just want a few really good veggies? Do you want to grow as much of your daily food as possible? Does your garden need to be aesthetically pleasing? There are lots of books on container gardening, you could try browsing your local library online. If space is limited, I say think about which veggies you love the most, which are pricey at the store, and which are most improved by eating fresh. Basil and salad greens for instance, are very easy to grow but very overpriced at the store. Corn and tomatoes are so much better homegrown. Whereas potatoes and onions are cheap at the store and not THAT much better homegrown so they're only worth it if you have plenty of space to devote. My advice for a beginner would be to start small and manageable, and build on that each year. Maybe this year buy a couple of Earthboxes or DIY a knockoff, and just grow a few of your favorite veggies. This will also reveal what some of your challenges might be. For instance my first year raccoons ate all my sweet corn, that taught me I would need a good fence in the future. ;-)

- colleen

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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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