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

04 Mar 18, Daniel Etheridge (USA - Zone 8b climate)
when is the Correct time to plant Sweet Potatoes in (zone 8b) ?. apple California 92308
22 Feb 18, Muzi (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can i plant potatoes twice a year?
01 Feb 18, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Spuds are shooting in pantry. . .does that mean I can plant them now in North Central Victoria?
05 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A good indicator if shooting.
26 Sep 22, Irene (Australia - tropical climate)
Just wondering, though ... wouldn't your 'climatic conditions' be different in your pantry than in your 'outdoors'? Just because the 'climate' (temp etc) was ok in the pantry, would that necessarily mean the climate/soil temp etc would be suitable? Secondly, what are other's thoughts on planting potatoes chitted in the dark of a pantry .. wouldn't the sprouts be 'leggy' (light starved) and weak?
29 Jan 18, Ava (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I live in emerald area and want to plant potato in a raised garden on concrete and was wondering if they will go well in the ground if planted now
31 Jan 18, Katie (Australia - arid climate)
They will grow better in Winter
02 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A commercial grower in Bundaberg (about a 6 hr drive south of Emerald) plants in May. Emerald would be a drier place than Bundy and colder in winter. In Bundy they grow two crops sometimes, an Autumn and a Spring crop. Sweet potatoes are grown all year here also.
30 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
You talk about a raised bed and then say plant in the ground. Leave it until March April.
23 Jan 18, zrk (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
can I plant Potatoes in February. My farm is in the Eastern Cape ,Qumanco. It's also a high frost area.
Showing 291 - 300 of 830 comments

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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