Growing Potato

Solanum tuberosum : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

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

(Best months for growing Potato in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Plant seed potatoes
  • Plant tuber. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 12 - 16 inches 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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07 Aug 20, Jsne (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The above growing diagram inducates ASO as the best growing months for spuds in sub-tropical zones?
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07 Aug 20, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hmm! Digger's Club. Is it really worth joining? I have purchased seeds or plants from some places in the past that havenot been fruitful at all. Thnx.
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14 Jul 20, Sue (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks, I never thought to do that.
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11 Jul 20, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
hi, I have a raised garden bed 1.2x1.2x400, how many seed potatoes would be appropriate to grow in this area?
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13 Jul 20, (Australia - temperate climate)
2 or 3 rows and plant 35mm apart.
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14 Jul 20, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
Thank you for your advice
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08 Jul 20, Nathalie Hetherington (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have bought some seed potatoes and prepared a raised garden vegetable for them. I have never grown potatoes before so am a total novice. The bed is 2m x 50cm x 40 cm. Can I plant a couple of different varieties together such as kipfler and purple potato and even if a third variety if I have the room?
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08 Jul 20, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A garden bed 2m long is only going to grow 6-7 plants. You can plant different varieties. Consider making the bed a lot bigger if you can.
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06 Aug 20, Diane (Australia - tropical climate)
i have read that you can grow them in a bottomless large bucket or a wired enclosure this way you just keep topping up the dirt and mulch when the plant gets taller until eventually you reach the top. once they are ready to harvest just pull the vessell you have chosen off and down they all fall. Saves using your garden and gives you room for more beneficial plants or vegies to use.
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26 Jun 20, Benjamin Rathbone (Australia - temperate climate)
After you have harvested your potatoes can you re use the dirt with extra compost ??
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Showing 161 - 170 of 830 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. GardenGrow 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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