Growing Potato

Solanum tuberosum : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

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

(Best months for growing Potato in Australia - sub-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

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30 Jul 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Just dig by hand around the base of a plant to see if there are any potatoes forming - if so put the soil back and wait until the plant dies off before harvesting them.
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29 Jul 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
The easiest way is to dig up one plant to see if there are any potatoes .
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07 Jul 19, david lilliman (Australia - arid climate)
Hi , when do I know when to harvest my potatoes.
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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.
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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.
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08 Jul 19, (Australia - temperate climate)
Harvest them. Crop time is 15-20 weeks from germination/shooting - consider this when planting and frosts.
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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?
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24 Jun 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Put them in your pantry until late August and then plant.
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10 Jun 19, Ol' Dazza (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
where can i buy some spud seeds?
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13 Jun 19, Jello (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Most decent nursery's will stock seed potatoes. Failing that, you can buy them online.
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Showing 111 - 120 of 563 comments
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Are you looking for SWEET potatoes or regular potatoes ..... I think your climate is better suited for Sweet potatoes -- they are different (different families) and therefore have different instructions: The ideal soil temperature range for planting potatoes is 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (7 to 10 degrees Celsius). After planting, the ideal temperature for growing potatoes is 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 21 degrees Celsius). Potatoes do best in fertile, well-drained soils. However, potatoes will grow in many types of soils. Soils that are poorly drained tend to produce poorly shaped potatoes and tuber rot. Potatoes do well across a wide range of pH, but prefer slightly acidic soils; a soil pH of 5.3 to 6.0 is typical for potato production. If your soil is more acidic than this, mixing in wood ash will help raise the pH and make your soil more alkaline. Sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are close cousins of morning glory and only distantly related to traditional potatoes. They are tender, so must be protected from frost, and like heat, full sun and regular watering. They crop best at temperatures of 21–26°C (70–80°F) PLEASE CLARIFY which type of potato.

- Faith 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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