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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22 Oct 09, Ryan (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi guys, i am giving potatoes a shot for the first time, but have no idea how to tell when to harvest! any advice would be great, thanks! (sorry if this has already been asked)
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09 Sep 09, Jane (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Lisa, yes the actual potato is green if it has been subject to light so you should keep the plants well mulched in case the potatoes are close to the surface, my spuds are still showing no signs of shooting, they are in the potting shed in egg cartons, will they shoot soon? Or shall I just plant them now? They are certified seed spuds.
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02 Sep 09, lisa (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
i have planted potatoes about 3-4 weeks ago (i didnt bury them as i have very hard soil here) and have been covering them over as they shoot. how long do you have to do this as i keep getting told from people there should be no need to cover them over as they grow. also the poisonous thing is a bit scary - how do you know if the potato is green? is the actual potato that you dig up a green colour?? thanks, L
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27 Jun 10, kathy (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi,Lisa,don't wworry,you will see definite pale or darker green in your potatoes.Light or dark,you would'nt miss it. Good luck. kathy
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02 Sep 09, Adrienne (Australia - temperate climate)
I am so confused about how to sprout seed potatoes. My local nursery says keep them in the cool and dark but a reputable gardening writer spent a page saying keep them in the warmth and light. My Ruby Lou's have only about 1/2cm of growth after almost 2 months. Please help!!!
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22 Aug 09, jenny (Australia - temperate climate)
I notice people have already planted potato tubers? Am I too late?
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04 Aug 09, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Thank you for telling me all about growing potatoes. At school our project is to grow potatoes independently. Thank you, your web site has helped.
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25 Jul 09, Jane (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks Emma. Yes I know about green potatoes being poisonous that's why I was worried about planting them but I think, like you, that the new ones should be okay. No shoots appearing yet though, still a bit early to plant here.
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20 Jul 09, Edward (Australia - temperate climate)
Lisa - I would advise against eating anything grown in tyres, especially any tuber. Sorry. Tyres contain (among other elements) cadmium, lead, and zinc. Not too late to start a 'no dig' option....... :-)
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18 Jul 09, Lisa (Australia - temperate climate)
I have my potato plants growing in tyres, as advised by my local nursery. should i take the plants out? the plants are about 5 weeks old and about 10 cm high? thank you
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Showing 481 - 490 of 561 comments
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It depends -- not all potatoes are suitable for towering (layering). Additionally, I have found that the potato plant SPENDS A LOT OF ENERGY GROWING UP, UP, UP, as you cover its leaves with soil (leaves have specialized cells designed to collect light - and why you would want to cover them with soil is beyond me this is not really a good move -- leaves are not roots). My recommendation is: if you have a DEEP PLANTER bag starting at about six inches from the bottom -- in sort of a pattern that looks like the 5 on a die (dice) -- make about 3-4 inch round holes -- and make them on the sides that receive light keeping the holes about 10 inches apart (6 inches away from the bottom and 10 inches away from the top of the bag). Fill the bag with a good soil/compost/manure mix of some kind -- starting from the bottom -- when you are level with a hole, place a seed potato there, level or slight below the bottom lip of the hole, and about 3 inches from the side of the bag (so there is soil between the potato and the hole) -- continue up until the bag is full -- the top layer of potatoes can be planted as usual. Yes, the soil will come out of the holes ... not to worry -- just be sure that the soil covers the topmost holes by at least 6-8inches. That is - each potato planted in the bag should have access to a WINDOW (air and light) OR those planted on the top layer (like a usual planting) should be down about 9 inches or so. The Key to this planting is ALL potatoes need to be able to put leaves somewhere -- they will follow the air and light to find that spot -- all potatoes need water -- so you will be watering from the top of the bag only (like a potted plant) -- but you water DEEPLY, since the water needs to make it to the very bottom potato plants -- so maybe you water every 5 days or so... depends on the soil, temperature, amount of light , amount of wind/air (which whisks moisture away), Additionally, ensure there is drainage at the bottom of the bag .... maybe a two inch hole directly at ground level. It might be better to use a crate of some kind.... rather than a bag...anyhow this set up will work with any kind of potato plant without consideration as to whether or not it can handle towering. Hope this helps. Conversion of inches to cm : 1 inch = 2.5cm

- Celeste Archer

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