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 - cool/mountain 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
28 Jul 15, etelka. (Australia - tropical climate)
When is the best time to plant potatoes in gold coast ....
Reply or Post a new comment
01 Aug 15, kath (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted tubers on 1st july and they are already growing. My large potato tub is looking like trees at the moment as all the potato tubers have sprouted. I find this to be a good time of year to plant tubers. I'm located in Brissie.
Reply or Post a new comment
20 Jul 15, clark (Australia - temperate climate)
When do we plant potato seed Tasmania
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Jun 15, Rusty (Australia - temperate climate)
Now is a great time to plant spuds in SA.
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Jun 15, Albi (Australia - temperate climate)
The only substance of real concern leached from tyres is zinc that is essential for tuber development. In marginal areas the tyre is the difference between a crop in winter or none at all.
Reply or Post a new comment
09 May 15, Eren kara (Australia - temperate climate)
the following answer is not based on scientific research but my own experiences . In temperate regions of Australia you don't get the deep penetrating frosts of the northern hemisphere so I say to you that go ahead and plant your potatoes into the ground about the second or third week in June ,if you're growing on a small scale you may be able to provide some kind of cover in an extreme situation but not to worry even if you see shoots turning black the business end oh a potato is under the soil and it will be fine .
Reply or Post a new comment
06 May 15, bill (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi,it's early June,can I plant potatoes now,frost can go down to about minus 4 some times,thanks
Reply or Post a new comment
06 May 15, sue (Australia - temperate climate)
What is the best time to plant potatoes in melbourne vic?
Reply or Post a new comment
14 Apr 15, gaynor (Australia - tropical climate)
When is the best time to plant potatoes on the gold coast....
Reply or Post a new comment
13 Apr 15, jan guest (Australia - tropical climate)
question..i live in darwin have brought back seed potatoes[sebago] just want to know information on how to grow with tyres,ferterlizers to use. thank you.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 281 - 290 of 563 comments
See comments for all plants

Matthew, if you're in a cool/mountain region it's probably a bit late to start potatoes now. We started ours after the frosts stopped (Melbourne cup day, around here). You're best off buying seed potato from a garden shop to avoid problems with potato virus - when they start stocking them is generally the best time to plant them for your area. Seed potato is an ordinary potato grown under controlled conditions - you let it spout and plant it, or cut it in two and let those sprout to get two plants started. Potatoes are all grown as clones by sprouting from a potato tuber. If you try seed (from the berries), you will probably end up with something inedible as they are quite variable.

- Chris

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.