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 Jun 14, timon kemboi (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
1. How to get best potatoes seed? 2. how to matained potatoes healthy
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17 Jun 14, farmgrl (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Hey timon, you do not grow potatoes from seed you use the tubers that have sprouted if you are looking for an online shop that will provide you with a specific kind of potato you would like to grow have a look at the following link: living seeds.co.za
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12 May 14, Dawn (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi, We have planted seed potatoes in the ground and wonder how long they take to sprout. Our soil is acidic
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08 May 14, Peter McIntosh (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I live in Perth and have some potatoes growing ,they are looking very nice and I have built the soil up around them, at what point do you stop building up the soil around each plant ,and do you pinch the top out to stop them growing, We have grown a few potatoes before and we have never had flowers, what promotes flowers Look forward to hearing from you. Cheers Peter
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29 Apr 14, Melissa Bourke (Australia - temperate climate)
So, the potato plants from the potato flower seed can become a new potato plant that grows tubers? Could this be another source of potato seed iel save that seed?
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18 Apr 14, heather zaltis (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Can I plant potato tubers in april/may or is it too late?
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13 Mar 14, NATHALIE SLUIK (Australia - arid climate)
CAN YOU BUY JERSEY BENNE POTATOS IN AUSTRALIA
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14 Feb 14, jamie shaw (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I put a crop of potatoes on now . Mid Feb south of Perth western Aust
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20 Jan 14, (Australia - temperate climate)
sowing time of potato in temperate zone
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29 Dec 13, jeff (Australia - temperate climate)
how to store seed potatoes for next season
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Showing 311 - 320 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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