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 10°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 30 - 40 cm 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
07 Jul 19, david lilliman (Australia - arid climate)
Hi , when do I know when to harvest my potatoes.
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Jul 19, (Australia - arid climate)
It does say 15-20 weeks to grow and it does say plant Aug to Dec. Usually the plant tops starts dying off.
Reply or Post a new comment
05 Jul 19, Val (Australia - temperate climate)
I didnt plant potatoes but they shot up from last year's crop. They started in autumn but the frost has now killed them. Why did they shoot at such a strange time and will they reshoot - or should I just harvest the new potatoes that they have produced before the frost killed them? I'm in South Gippsland Vic and we get pretty cold nights this time of year.
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Jul 19, (Australia - temperate climate)
Harvest them. Crop time is 15-20 weeks from germination/shooting - consider this when planting and frosts.
Reply or Post a new comment
21 Jun 19, Cheryl Burke (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Clarence Town NSW. TEMPERATE climate but we do get frosts. I have just bought some seed potatoes. Should I plant them now or wait until August? If I wait, do Ineed to put them in the sun to encourage them to shoot?
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Jun 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Put them in your pantry until late August and then plant.
Reply or Post a new comment
10 Jun 19, Ol' Dazza (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
where can i buy some spud seeds?
Reply or Post a new comment
13 Jun 19, Jello (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Most decent nursery's will stock seed potatoes. Failing that, you can buy them online.
Reply or Post a new comment
12 Jun 19, (Australia - temperate climate)
A produce agency (Farming) - Bunnings, Nursery.
Reply or Post a new comment
15 May 19, KATIE KERETO FEATHERSTONE (Australia - temperate climate)
I got some old spuds that is started shooting can I plant them now??
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 111 - 120 of 561 comments
See comments for all plants

I am noticing coppery (pearlescent brownish) marking on the leaves of otherwise healthy looking potato plants, planted in potato grow bags. I've been monitoring the soil temperature and it had reached 30C until I placed cardboard and bubblewrap insulation over the black fabric bags. It is currently mid-August. I'm in Brisbane. The coppery leaf markings surround the veins rather than being on the fringes of the leaves. The markings do not look like the brown/black spots of wilt. Any thoughts from you potato growers out there??

- Irene Bollerman

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.