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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18 Jul 09, Ivan (Australia - temperate climate)
My spuds have been in for 11 weeks now, they have a huge amount of green leaves. How long before they flower, and If they don't flower when can they be picked?
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12 Jul 09, jane (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks Gareth, that's what I was hoping.
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01 Jul 09, gareth (Australia - temperate climate)
jane along as you dont eat these potatos because they are now piisonous but you should be alright with the others aslong as they arnt exposed to light and i dont now weather this will aid in production of spuds but oh well see what happens
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21 Jun 09, Gavin Ryan (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I just purchased a couple of bags of seed potatoes. Will they last till Spring?
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17 Jun 09, Jane (Australia - temperate climate)
I have 2 bags of seed potatoes to be planted and leaving them in the light they are turning green. Is this okay?
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07 Jun 09, Ratchet (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi , I have just acquired a large pot , about 500 litres In Tasmania last month and purchased some seed potatoes , about a kg of mixed variety Going to drill some holes in the side of the pot at the base , add some plastic grating , old bread tray . add a couple of bags on potting mix and plant the spuds . I am thinking of then adding straight mushroom compost from the mushroom farm covering the plants as they grow ( after about 100cm ) leaving some fresh growth on the top. will the mushroom compost be enough , I can get a box trailer load for $30 from the mushroom farm and it has a mixture of what looks like black compost mxed thru it
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21 Jul 19, Dale (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can anyone tell me where I can buy Dutch cream seed potatoes in the Gladstone/Calliope area QLD please.
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26 May 09, Andrew (Australia - temperate climate)
Jenny, the problem with potatoes planted now is that any frost will knock the tops off. If you are in a frost free area or can arrange a frost free micro-climate for them, then you can certainly plant potatoes now. I have a number of volunteers growing at te moment, but I don't expect them to last unless I cover them well. Don't expect too much growth for the next couple of months, though.
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25 May 09, jenny (Australia - temperate climate)
I notice that you say to plant potatoes august, sept, oct, are there any varieties that can be planted now? Thanks, Jenny
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11 May 09, Brad (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Had my kipflers in the ground now for 2.5 weeks and all have shooted and growing quickly. Will mound some more soil and compost over them once they are all around 10cm high. Looking good so far!!!
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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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