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

01 Feb 15, Amy (Australia - temperate climate)
Ok, thanks ! I hope I can wait that long!
04 Nov 14, Natalie (Australia - temperate climate)
Do potatoes mind clay soil. I heard they grow anyway and will help to break up the soil
17 Oct 14, graham (Australia - temperate climate)
i live in tasmania had a frost should i remove the dead parts from my potato plants all just leav them thanks
13 Oct 14, Lachlan (Australia - temperate climate)
If I am doing no dig potatoes, do I need to use crop rotation?
29 Oct 14, Genevieve (Australia - temperate climate)
Absolutely, can't plant potatoes in the same spot for 3-4 years unfortunately due to diseases.
30 Oct 14, Lachlan (Australia - temperate climate)
But they are not in the soil.
15 Nov 14, Genevieve (Australia - temperate climate)
Unsure what you have in your no dig, but used some manured soils, first time I did it , and was advised not to plants spuds in the same spot Now do it in bags, maybe a horticulturist could give you advise.
24 Sep 14, Rowena (Australia - temperate climate)
How do I stop my potato patch from becoming a compost heap? I prepared my soil and when the plants emerged I put a wire cage around them (3ft). They then proceeded to quickly shoot up. I layered straw up around them until the plants reached the height of the wire. I watered the straw once by hand as rain has been good. Then yesterday - 3 days after the hand water - I discovered that two of my plants had wilted and on further investigation they had rotted off just below the first few centimetres of straw on top. I put my hand down into the straw and found it to be an oven - perfect for a compost heap. Should I poke holes in the mound to allow air to circulate? What can I do to save my other plants?
06 Jun 14, timon kemboi (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
1. How to get best potatoes seed? 2. how to matained potatoes healthy
17 Jun 14, farmgrl (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Hey timon, you do not grow potatoes from seed you use the tubers that have sprouted if you are looking for an online shop that will provide you with a specific kind of potato you would like to grow have a look at the following link: living seeds.co.za
Showing 301 - 310 of 561 comments

For Sammy If you are in Victoria Toolangi Delights are the best for gnocchi. A dry textured potato is best and these are great, also purple congo or sapphire are great, they are dry, have purple flesh and make a great purple gnocchi. Dutch creams and Nicola are very similar, Nicola are a bit harder when cooked and Dutch Creams are a bit sweeter, to look at there is no real difference. Check out spunkyspuds.wetpaint.com

- David

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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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