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
03 Aug 13, leanne (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
If your potatoes are still in the ground and light has turned the tops green are they still alright to cover with earth or should you throw them away?
Reply or Post a new comment
16 Aug 13, Judy K. (Australia - temperate climate)
Do not eat the green potato, it is toxic.
Reply or Post a new comment
28 Jul 13, Anita (Australia - temperate climate)
? Can I grow potatoes in my garden with just home compost ? I do this but they grow slow ,can you tell me if this is o k Thank you ANITA
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Jul 13, (Australia - temperate climate)
IS IT OK TO USE BLOOD & BONE ON MY POTATOES ?
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Sep 13, Catherine (Australia - temperate climate)
YES, IT IS. MIX IT UP WITH THE SOIL.
Reply or Post a new comment
21 Jul 13, [email protected] (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I planted my potatoes at the end of may they have flowered how long before I can dig them up. .'i remember when in Ireland mum said it was about 3 months ,usually until the top "withered. Please advise me
Reply or Post a new comment
14 Jul 13, SueBateson (Australia - temperate climate)
Your potatoes will eventually grow through. It is a little cool yet but they will take off as soon as it warms up a bit,you will be eating them by Christmas. 30cm is a little deep, 15cm is enough really but deeper means as the plant grows upwards it will send off more roots and shoots which equals more potatoes in the end. If they are planted more shallow you can add mulch and just leave a leaf or two uncovered, do this every month or so until they are hilled up, flower and die down, then just spread it out to harvest them rather than digging down 30cm.
Reply or Post a new comment
13 Jul 13, Kyria (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm growing my first crop atm and think I've done it ll wrong! I started with planting potatoes that have sprouted in about 25-30cm deep.. It's been a good two weeks and haven't had any sign of life... What are you thoughts?
Reply or Post a new comment
03 Jul 13, vivianne (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It is july 3rd 2013, i am planning to plant potatoes in bags out of the frost. Will they grown. oh yes i am in katoomba nsw 2780
Reply or Post a new comment
05 Jul 13, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
July sounds a bit early for potatoes in Katoomba - I guess it might work if you can keep them completely protected from frost. I usually wait until September/October.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 351 - 360 of 561 comments
See comments for all plants

I started planting a variety of spuds mid Aug in Melb, normally after frost danger was over. End sept when plants were around 15-20cm high we had severe frosts and plants got badly burned off. Surprisingly, they recovered well only to get hit hard again 3 weeks later, Once again they recovered. I have just started ferretting out a few early spuds and the crop looks like being one of my best ever. Has anyone ever tried reducing leaf growth by removing some of the tops to see the effects on the crop?

- Graham Bower

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.