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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18 Oct 19, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
15-20weeks from planting. Read up on the internet. HOW TO GROW POTATOES
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12 Sep 19, Stephanie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have potatoes growing in last years patch, from some left behind and unharvested. They look healthy, will they give a reasonable crop or should I pull them and put new seed potatoes in?
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13 Sep 19, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Preferable to plant something different each year in the same bed. Let some grow and plant some new ones and compare what they produce. Gardening is about trying things.
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03 Sep 19, lia (Australia - temperate climate)
how much water does potatoes need every week, month or year?
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04 Sep 19, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A good watering 2-3 times a week. Watering would depend on climate zone - how hot or cold the weather is, a cloudy or sunny day, small or large plants. Small plants small watering more often, large plants longer watering less often. Small plants only have short root system - soil dries out. A 4m row of small plants may only require a minute or two whereas large plants may require 3-5 mins.
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23 Aug 19, John G (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I re use soil where potato crops have failed due to poor fertiliser and not using seed potatoes? Im concerned about diseases/fungus. Thanks
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26 Aug 19, (Australia - temperate climate)
If they failed then you may have disease/fungus. Have good rich soil before planting and give a good watering twice a week when they are established.
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29 Jul 19, hazel (Australia - temperate climate)
i have very strong looking potatoe plants growing in my compost. Will i have potatoes on them.they have been growing all winter.
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30 Jul 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Just dig by hand around the base of a plant to see if there are any potatoes forming - if so put the soil back and wait until the plant dies off before harvesting them.
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29 Jul 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
The easiest way is to dig up one plant to see if there are any potatoes .
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Showing 221 - 230 of 830 comments
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I live in Southern California Zone 10A and grow potatoes year-round in bags and containers, anywhere from 5 to 15 gallons size. I have found what works well for me is to put about 4-6 inches of good soil in the container, lay a few seed potatoes on top so the slips are pointed up, about 12 inches apart, then cover them with about 4-6 inches of soil, and water moderately or they will rot. These potatoes will only produce new tubers in the soil about 6-12 inches above the original seed potatoes, so when the plants are about a foot above the soil, if I have any new add seed potatoes and the container has enough room, when I add more soil I may consider adding a few more seed potatoes that will produce "baby potatoes" above the older tubers, then cover them with another 6 inches of soil that will also bury more of the new growth of the first seed potatoes. Doing this stimulates more growth, and I may even add even more soil as the plants get taller depending on the depth of the container. I don't always add the second layer of seed potatoes, but doing this produces a few larger potatoes below (Baked Potatoes!) and a lot of smaller potatoes above them, and they are all excellent eating. I am growing Russet, Golden, and Red potatoes in containers, but I think they are all determinant varieties since they are all started from potatoes purchased in grocery stores, and each plant only produces tubers in the area near the seed potato, but do not continue to produce tubers as the plants get taller no matter how much more soil is added. I am still learning as I go, such as "location, location, location!" is making a noticeable difference on how successful my efforts are, and I would like to find an indeterminant variety potato that will grow well in Zone 10A.

- dz

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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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