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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for New Zealand | for all countries
12 Jun 19, (Australia - temperate climate)
A produce agency (Farming) - Bunnings, Nursery.
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15 May 19, KATIE KERETO FEATHERSTONE (Australia - temperate climate)
I got some old spuds that is started shooting can I plant them now??
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06 Apr 19, benny (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I actually live in the Kingdom of Tonga on the island of Eua this island is subtropical, with an amazing soil profile of rich black soil many metres deep I'm looking for a potato species that is well-suited to grow in these conditions I understand that sweet potato is the mainstay of crops in the Pacific Islands but I am looking for a potato that may be harvested after a shorter growing. than a sweet potato so any ideas,?
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30 Mar 19, NOMFUNDO (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I LIVE IF LADY FRERE, EASTERN CAPE. THIS IS A VER DRY PLACE. CAN I PLANT POTATOES IN HAY IN WINTER? IF SO, SHOULD I WATER THEM IN THE HAY?
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29 Mar 19, Bruce Gillanders (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Which are the indeterminant varieties of potato.
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31 Mar 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Have a look at this site www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/potato/determinate-indeterminate-potatoes.htm Or do an online search - lots of articles available.
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20 Mar 19, Donelda (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Do you cover up the green leaves with soil as well as they shoot through or just pile up the soil around the leaves and have the leaves themselves uncovered?
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24 Mar 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Have a look at this site https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-earth-up-potatoes/
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09 Jan 19, Girdhari. C (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I’m in south America , Suriname , I’m Looking for a type of potatoes Which can be grown in hot Tropical climate, Has any body an idea for me, Thanks a lot & happy gardening, Greetings Cg.
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10 Jan 19, Mike (Australia - tropical climate)
Search around on the internet - growing potatoes in Suriname. From similar hot Australia plant 2nd month of Autumn.
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Showing 241 - 250 of 831 comments
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People say you can't plant this after that or plant tomatoes in the same area for a year or two. There is a cycle of how you plant different veggies after each other to best use the soil. BUT you can plant things differently if you like. I have a garden bed approx. 13 m long and it varies from 4 to 7' in depth. Now in the shorter rows I mainly plant lettuce, radish, beetroot, shallots etc and the longer rows corn, tomatoes, snow peas etc. I plant 2 crops per year (autumn and spring) and mix it up a bit - like I will follow radish with lettuce or tomatoes after snow peas. So year after year I plant like this. As long as you give the soil a top up with compost and or fertiliser then you can plant whatever you like. I don't have heaps of diseases etc. My main problems are birds eating young plants (lettuce snow peas) early in the growing season, grubs eating cabbages/broccoli after rain and beans being killed by some worm or something growing into winter. Am going to grow beans in the spring this year - see how that works.

- Mike

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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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