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

12 Apr 18, Rachel (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
good day please could u help we have a probem with the potatoes we planted and i dont know how to solve the problem. is there someone that can contact me and give me advise
07 Apr 18, Makhosini Mdluli (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi. Is it recommended to plant potatoes in Tyres here in SA (Gauteng)
22 Feb 18, Muzi (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can i plant potatoes twice a year?
23 Jan 18, zrk (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
can I plant Potatoes in February. My farm is in the Eastern Cape ,Qumanco. It's also a high frost area.
28 Sep 17, violet (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
hi im in soshanguve north of pretoria,am strugling to.get tubers. can I produce my own from the potato then plant on my one hector in november?
04 Sep 17, moses (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
where can I buy certified seed in pretoria
03 Sep 17, Nomzamo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
is it ok to plant potatoes before the first rains around September? and how long will it take for them to ripen?
13 Jul 17, Mutebi Joseph (United Kingdom - cool/temperate climate)
How can I get potato seeds in Uganda E.Africa??thanks.
16 Jul 17, John (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Your question is a challenging one because of disease that are affecting potatoes in Uganda. I suggest you contact your Agriculture Department or look up 'potatoes' on the internet to find healthy seed. It may be listed as 'Certified' seed which means that it is disease free. Trust this helps.
17 Jun 17, zamo (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
can i grow potatoes on same land that i use to grow sugercane ?
Showing 31 - 40 of 107 comments

I live in Southern California Zone 10A and grow potatoes year-round in bags and containers, anywhere from 5 to 15 gallons size. I have found what works well for me is to put about 4-6 inches of good soil in the container, lay a few seed potatoes on top so the slips are pointed up, about 12 inches apart, then cover them with about 4-6 inches of soil, and water moderately or they will rot. These potatoes will only produce new tubers in the soil about 6-12 inches above the original seed potatoes, so when the plants are about a foot above the soil, if I have any new add seed potatoes and the container has enough room, when I add more soil I may consider adding a few more seed potatoes that will produce "baby potatoes" above the older tubers, then cover them with another 6 inches of soil that will also bury more of the new growth of the first seed potatoes. Doing this stimulates more growth, and I may even add even more soil as the plants get taller depending on the depth of the container. I don't always add the second layer of seed potatoes, but doing this produces a few larger potatoes below (Baked Potatoes!) and a lot of smaller potatoes above them, and they are all excellent eating. I am growing Russet, Golden, and Red potatoes in containers, but I think they are all determinant varieties since they are all started from potatoes purchased in grocery stores, and each plant only produces tubers in the area near the seed potato, but do not continue to produce tubers as the plants get taller no matter how much more soil is added. I am still learning as I go, such as "location, location, location!" is making a noticeable difference on how successful my efforts are, and I would like to find an indeterminant variety potato that will grow well in Zone 10A.

- dz

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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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