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 Australia - tropical 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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28 Apr 20, Another gardener (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
If you live in an area with no frosts I would plant them. Leave them out of the ground for 3-4 days to let the cut edge dry up a bit. Plant them then water and don't water again until they shoot.
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15 Apr 20, Robin (Australia - temperate climate)
I have some saved potatoes in a box of sand in the bottom of my fridge which have sprouted. surely if they sprout at 4 degrees c. they will grow in our winter months ? Cheers Robin
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15 Apr 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I'm sub-tropical and they grow them from April/May here and in the spring also. You probably don't want frosts.
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17 Apr 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Commercial blokes here plant them in May, in good draining red soil that is above frost line, like on a high area not in low areas.
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15 Apr 20, John Mauger (Australia - temperate climate)
In very cold or wet soil potatoes are likely to rot. Frost will also burn them off. If you have an area where the soil is warmer and is protected from frost you could give them a go if you wish. Better to plant them about 3 weeks before the expected last frost so they will have emerged after the frosts have finished. If they come up early and a frost is expected just cover them with a box, a suitable sized flower pot or a layer of straw for protection.
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13 Apr 20, William Smith (Australia - temperate climate)
G'D Day I have grown Potato in a container from shooting potato bought from the Supermarket, planted 17 weeks ago the container is now 80 cm high 50 cm in diameter , however the plants have not started to die back when should I harvest ? Cheers William
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15 Apr 20, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Potatoes can normally be raided about a month after flowering. These are 'new' potatoes. Remove them carefully and replace the soil and the rest will mature as 'old' potatoes when the tops die off.
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14 Apr 20, Anon (Australia - temperate climate)
Feel around in the soil to see if you have any potatoes.
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02 Apr 20, Danielle (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi, I'm researching when to plant potato, Iknow they make good companion plants with broad beans... if braod beans are ready to be planted now (I live in Melbourne) can I also plant potatoes too? Please help, the internet is confusing... Many thanks in advance, Dan
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03 Apr 20, Anon (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Check the pages here for broad beans - plant April-May and August - Sept. Potatoes plant Sept to Dec.
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Showing 81 - 90 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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