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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06 Feb 20, Anon (Australia - arid climate)
Most plants need about 5 + hrs. Look it up on the internet, google it.
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03 Feb 20, tristan kawau (Australia - temperate climate)
this so helpful
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05 Jan 20, Sarah-Jane Wicks (Australia - temperate climate)
We used seed potatoes to grow Kilgore in our school garden. As the tops have now died off we harvested them today, only to yield Ferny tiny potatoes. Less than 300g from a whole 3.6m x 1.2m garden bed. The potatoes were watered a minimum of 4-5days per week, were regularly fertilised and grown beside sweetcorn. How did this go so wrong. We yielded less than the bag of seed potatoes that we planted. The soil was beautiful and rich. We mounded around the growth for the first 6weeks. So disappointing. Any help greatly appreciated.
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06 Jan 20, Anon (Australia - temperate climate)
I would say you over fertilised them way too much, and probably too much water. That would produce a lot of leaves and little potatoes. In future prepare the ground adding manures compost etc., don't over do it though. They WILL NOT require any more fertilising. When young a lightish watering each day or two. When bigger a good watering 2-3 times a week, depending on temperatures. Put your figer in the soil to see if wet or dry and water accordingly.
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05 Jan 20, Veronica (USA - Zone 7a climate)
I'm not quite sure of my zone. I live in Charlotte, NC 28208. Can you please tell me? Check here www.gardenate.com/zones/#zone-US (Editor)
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03 Nov 19, Woza (Australia - temperate climate)
Are the green potatoes safe to eat? I always get a few in my crop
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04 Nov 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
IT IS NOT SAFE TO EAT THEM. It is caused by the potato being exposed to the sun. In future keep the potatoes covered with soil to stop this happening.
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31 Oct 19, Chris grey (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Can I plant seeded potatoes the week after Christmas for a winter crop? And also if yes what seed potato would be the best? We live in north Canterbury
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01 Nov 19, anon (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
First decide whether you are temperate or cool/mountain - look in the climate zone section. Then read up about the planting times. Then you decide what potatoes you are going to plant. That will depend on what is available in your area.
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17 Oct 19, Alan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
When do they harvest potatoes
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Showing 211 - 220 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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