Growing Potato

Solanum tuberosum : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                P P P  

(Best months for growing Potato in South Africa - Summer rainfall 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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03 Feb 13, Derek Cooper (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I would be grateful if anyone could advise me as to a late planting variety of potatoe available in S.A. It appears that the variety favoured in the USA is Butte. Any advice would be most welcome
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22 Oct 12, Mlungisi (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
As from 2010 I have been planting potato seedlings in my backyard garden what I noticed is that they do not flower for pollination to take place but when I harvested them I got big quality tubers. The following year I planted the potato seeding in winter and they thrived well but the same thing of not flowering happened again and the harvest was good. This is surprising me really ,. What could be the reason for these potato plant not flowering but able to form tubers.
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06 Jul 12, Martin (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi Can potatoes be planted in a tunnel or does it need bees for polination?
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What, Why, How are green potatoes poisonous? If the plants have died off and the potaoes are not harvested. What will happen to the tubers

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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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