Your comments and tips

30 Apr 13, Sustainable Jill (Australia - temperate climate)

Potatoes prefer to grow when it's warm. Soil temperature should be at least 6°C. As you are in a pretty mild maritime climate that rarely gets that low you should be fine. See how you go! (Just remember to have some drainage in your bin or the potatoes will eventually rot!)

Reply or Post a new comment

02 May 13, Lyn (Australia - temperate climate)

Thank you Sustainable Jill, advice taken on board. I've recently learn't my lesson on drainage in pots. :-( I'm sure thats what caused the sudden death of a beautiful specimen of Acacia which was awaiting its garden bed. I'm sad and very annoyed at myself for not putting in better drainage holes! Now to find those elusive seed potatoes.....

Reply or Post a new comment

02 Apr 13, sharon (Australia - temperate climate)

I planted some potatoes 3 to 4 weeks ago. They have grown stems, leaves, flowers....which I just noticed have turned into little green fruit like baby Tomatoes. Is this normal, or can you advise what it is...what should I do please? with thanks.

Reply or Post a new comment

05 Apr 13, Ferran (Australia - arid climate)

that's some fast growing plants! After flowering they will die back, that is when you harvest. If the growth is out of proportion to your potatoes when you harvest then the soil had too much nitrogen promoting leaf growth and hindering the roots. my garden has some naturally growing potato left in the soil from last harvest spouted 4weeks ago and now flowering normally they would not be there but they were deeper than I was dinging at harvest. If you are practicing rotation cops do not!!!! plant corn or sun flowers after potatoes it stunts them. beans are good. potatoes should not be in the same place for seven years after seven years the chemicals that are put in the soil by potatoes as well as disease and pests should have gone from the soil.

Reply or Post a new comment

08 Apr 13, Sharon (Australia - temperate climate)

Thanks for that advice....But what about my question re "They have grown stems, leaves, flowers....which I just noticed have turned into little green fruit-like baby Tomatoes ON THE STEMS. Is this normal"? - Sharon, Sydney

Reply or Post a new comment

10 Apr 13, Alice (Australia - temperate climate)

They are the potato "fruit" (potatoes are the tuber bits under the ground). DO NOT EAT THEM!! They're highly toxic. Chop them up, wash the seeds and plant them, and you'll get more potato plants!

Reply or Post a new comment

25 Mar 13, al (Australia - temperate climate)

I live in Albury NSW when is the best time to plant spuds

Reply or Post a new comment

25 Mar 13, Steve H (Australia - temperate climate)

I'd never grow spuds in the ground. It's too hard to dig them up without damaging them. Instead why don't you try this. Grab a plastic rubbish bin and put some holes in the bottom for drainage Put 3 inches of straw in the bottom covered by a bit of mushroom compost or soil for a bed. Add your seed potatoes or eyes and cover with 3 inches of straw and 2 inches of soil. Liberally sprinkle with a good quality fetiliser. Keep this blend damp. When the potato plants show through, cover again with the same mix of straw, fertiliser and soil. Repeat until the bin is full and then allow the plants to mature as they grow out the top. When ready for harvest simply tip out your lovely clean spuds

Reply or Post a new comment

25 Mar 13, Gary (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi Peter,,just a note from comments above, it is not advised to grow potatoes in tyres because of heavy metal leaching.

Reply or Post a new comment

02 Mar 13, Rachel (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi. I live in Sydney in a frost free area. Can I plant potatoes now and, if so, what would be good varieties? Thanks :-)

Reply or Post a new comment