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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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.
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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?
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04 Sep 17, moses (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
where can I buy certified seed in pretoria
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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?
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13 Jul 17, Mutebi Joseph (United Kingdom - cool/temperate climate)
How can I get potato seeds in Uganda E.Africa??thanks.
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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.
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17 Jun 17, zamo (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
can i grow potatoes on same land that i use to grow sugercane ?
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26 May 17, Harare (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
How can I fight or chase away the moles eating potatoes underground?
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29 May 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
True moles are insect eaters. It is more likely that rats or mice are eating your potatoes. I would try laying rat and mice baits or traps and see what happens. Some of the newer vermin baits are enclosed in small sachets and you will know if they are chewed that you are getting the culprit. Make sure the baits cannot be reached by children or pets and keep laying them until there is no more chewing. All the best.
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23 Sep 17, Dale (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Poisons? In a garden? What happens when the neighborhood cats & owls eat the mice or rats?
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Showing 41 - 50 of 114 comments
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I'm not certain if the initial question is using the correct terminology or not... there are so many different ways to categorize things. If it is determinate verses indeterminate -- then it is like tomatoes -- the indeterminate are like a vine, and continue to grow - which means they CAN BE towered ( but don't have to be) and they will continue to put out "layers" of tubers as you hill up. However, indeterminate potatoes can be grown as determinate.... you DON'T HAVE TO tower or hill up -- so long as you plant the seed potato deep enough. You can get more potatoes per square foot of real estate out of the indeterminate type of potato, but it does take longer. So you need to think about - time verses space verses growing methods.

- Celeste Archer

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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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