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

22 Jun 13, Justin (Australia - temperate climate)
If you keep building up the compost as it grows you will get more potatoes from your crop. Just be sure to protect them from frost. Growing my first crop atm and have found potatoes as big as a 50c piece after a month and a half. Don't let the nitrogen get too high or the energy will go to the leaves instead of the potatoes.
22 Jun 13, Ann Birchall (Australia - temperate climate)
How do I grow new potatoes as grown in England? Which is the best sort for this?
18 Jun 13, john (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have a bed of potatoes 20cm deep x40cm apart. have hilled them up as suggested some are beginning to flower . They were very healthy looking plants however they are now falling over and some appear to be withering. Is it too late to hill them further and would this help
26 Jun 13, Paddy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am having the same problem and think it may be due to the amount of rain we've had lately. I dug around one and the development of the tuber seems to be ok. Let me know how your crop progresses.
28 May 13, Ray (Australia - temperate climate)
I have read in gardening books that tyres can be used 4 spuds ? but you say NO can you please exsplane . (Some reasons are well set out here http://www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk/news/11-news/363-growing-food-in-tyres.html Liz)
03 May 13, stan bevan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
this is May 2013 is it too late to plant seeds of marigolds into a plot freshly prepared with morning sun
26 Apr 13, Ray (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi i have seed potatoes from last year that have started to sprout. As its to early to plant can I rub them off and plant latter thanks ray.
30 Apr 13, Sustainable Jill (Australia - temperate climate)
I'd just pop them in now. They are telling you they're ready to grow, and the moon is waning so it's a good time to plant rooting crops. If it's too cold, they will just sit in the ground until things are ready for them to grow. If you leave them out, they will gradually lose moisture, become soft and shrivel...not ideal for growing later in the year.
22 Apr 13, BARRY (Australia - temperate climate)
I have just harvested potatoe crop which appear to have a disease? A dark grey core with a rusty brown surround. Appears to be the start of rot? Can you help me?
16 Apr 13, Lyn (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I love your site its so informative! I'm new to vegie gardening and keen to get a potato crop going ASAP but have seen the recommended planting time for me is August. Does this apply if I'm planning on using a container? e.g. a large plastic rubbish bin. I live in a suburb of Wollongong NSW. I'm about 10 min from the coast so no frosts etc. My back yard has a concreted area that gets about 5-6hrs of sun in winter. Thank you :-)
Showing 361 - 370 of 561 comments

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

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.