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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02 Nov 16, Steve G (Australia - temperate climate)
Don't bother removing lower leaves just heap up soil.You can use buckets over plants ,I would make sure soil drains well with some compost and handful of blood and bone .
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20 Oct 16, mpumelelo (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi i like to know if it good plant potatos in kzn without eny fetilizer
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11 Oct 16, RON TANDAPU (Australia - tropical climate)
I am a vegetable farmer from the Highlands Higher altitude area of Papua New Guinea 1200 m above sea level and very cold and humid weather rainfall is consistent all year around . What type of potato can be to suitable to be grown in this kind zones or areas? And also need few advice on pest and disease control. Thanks, RON, PNG
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02 Oct 16, Bryan Urquhart (Australia - temperate climate)
Told cannot grow Potatoes in Tyres how about growing in 55litre plastic garbage bins with bottoms cut out and Air holes in the sides, do not have a large area to use. Need help before time runs out, Live in Temperate Zone. PLEASE THANK YOU QUICK .
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04 Oct 16, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
They will grow fine in bins. You don't need holes in the side. You could just make some drainage holes in the bottom instead of cutting the base right out.
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01 Oct 16, Gerry (Australia - tropical climate)
Can I grow potatoes in my area Ingham in North Queensland, and if so what time of year.?
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09 Sep 16, glider (Australia - temperate climate)
It's september 2016, can l grow potatoes in last summers tomatoes bed?
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29 Sep 16, chris (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
No they are of the same family, try changing the soil around and giving fresh soil to the bed , then planting.
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29 Aug 16, fourie (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
when to plant potatos in south namibia
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20 Aug 16, thulani s Nene (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I'm at Hlabisa KZN South Africa i need to know in which month can i grow potatoes
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Showing 421 - 430 of 820 comments
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I'm not certain if the initial question is using the correct terminology or not... there are so many different ways to categorize things. If it is determinate verses indeterminate -- then it is like tomatoes -- the indeterminate are like a vine, and continue to grow - which means they CAN BE towered ( but don't have to be) and they will continue to put out "layers" of tubers as you hill up. However, indeterminate potatoes can be grown as determinate.... you DON'T HAVE TO tower or hill up -- so long as you plant the seed potato deep enough. You can get more potatoes per square foot of real estate out of the indeterminate type of potato, but it does take longer. So you need to think about - time verses space verses growing methods.

- 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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