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

15 Apr 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I'm sub-tropical and they grow them from April/May here and in the spring also. You probably don't want frosts.
17 Apr 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Commercial blokes here plant them in May, in good draining red soil that is above frost line, like on a high area not in low areas.
15 Apr 20, John Mauger (Australia - temperate climate)
In very cold or wet soil potatoes are likely to rot. Frost will also burn them off. If you have an area where the soil is warmer and is protected from frost you could give them a go if you wish. Better to plant them about 3 weeks before the expected last frost so they will have emerged after the frosts have finished. If they come up early and a frost is expected just cover them with a box, a suitable sized flower pot or a layer of straw for protection.
13 Apr 20, William Smith (Australia - temperate climate)
G'D Day I have grown Potato in a container from shooting potato bought from the Supermarket, planted 17 weeks ago the container is now 80 cm high 50 cm in diameter , however the plants have not started to die back when should I harvest ? Cheers William
15 Apr 20, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Potatoes can normally be raided about a month after flowering. These are 'new' potatoes. Remove them carefully and replace the soil and the rest will mature as 'old' potatoes when the tops die off.
14 Apr 20, Anon (Australia - temperate climate)
Feel around in the soil to see if you have any potatoes.
02 Apr 20, Danielle (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi, I'm researching when to plant potato, Iknow they make good companion plants with broad beans... if braod beans are ready to be planted now (I live in Melbourne) can I also plant potatoes too? Please help, the internet is confusing... Many thanks in advance, Dan
03 Apr 20, Anon (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Check the pages here for broad beans - plant April-May and August - Sept. Potatoes plant Sept to Dec.
03 Apr 20, Genevieve (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Potatoes are normally planted in mid to late spring when the possibility of frost is over.
07 Feb 20, Claudia Muscat (Australia - temperate climate)
Can i plant potatoes in February? I m in NSW Wollongong area
Showing 81 - 90 of 561 comments

It depends -- not all potatoes are suitable for towering (layering). Additionally, I have found that the potato plant SPENDS A LOT OF ENERGY GROWING UP, UP, UP, as you cover its leaves with soil (leaves have specialized cells designed to collect light - and why you would want to cover them with soil is beyond me this is not really a good move -- leaves are not roots). My recommendation is: if you have a DEEP PLANTER bag starting at about six inches from the bottom -- in sort of a pattern that looks like the 5 on a die (dice) -- make about 3-4 inch round holes -- and make them on the sides that receive light keeping the holes about 10 inches apart (6 inches away from the bottom and 10 inches away from the top of the bag). Fill the bag with a good soil/compost/manure mix of some kind -- starting from the bottom -- when you are level with a hole, place a seed potato there, level or slight below the bottom lip of the hole, and about 3 inches from the side of the bag (so there is soil between the potato and the hole) -- continue up until the bag is full -- the top layer of potatoes can be planted as usual. Yes, the soil will come out of the holes ... not to worry -- just be sure that the soil covers the topmost holes by at least 6-8inches. That is - each potato planted in the bag should have access to a WINDOW (air and light) OR those planted on the top layer (like a usual planting) should be down about 9 inches or so. The Key to this planting is ALL potatoes need to be able to put leaves somewhere -- they will follow the air and light to find that spot -- all potatoes need water -- so you will be watering from the top of the bag only (like a potted plant) -- but you water DEEPLY, since the water needs to make it to the very bottom potato plants -- so maybe you water every 5 days or so... depends on the soil, temperature, amount of light , amount of wind/air (which whisks moisture away), Additionally, ensure there is drainage at the bottom of the bag .... maybe a two inch hole directly at ground level. It might be better to use a crate of some kind.... rather than a bag...anyhow this set up will work with any kind of potato plant without consideration as to whether or not it can handle towering. Hope this helps. Conversion of inches to cm : 1 inch = 2.5cm

- 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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