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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07 Oct 15, Janet Angel (Australia - temperate climate)
Last season my potatoes grew stems whose cross section was square, ie 4 ridges up the stem, the leaves curled and no potatoes developed. What ever it was that caused this also affected everything else in the night shade family, tomatoes, eggplants, chillies and capsicum to fail. No one seems to know what caused this!! Any clues!!
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30 Sep 15, Carl Dalton (Australia - temperate climate)
Can you tell me if Jersey Mids (Royals) potatoes are available in Australia, and if so where I can purchase them from Cheers Carl
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02 Dec 15, Tony Herve (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Carl I have some seed potatoes JR They are stack i got some 40 years ago, so they need some virus testing work on them to get them back to being more productive Tony Herve
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16 Oct 15, Chris Petersen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
"Seed Potatoes Victoria" have a "PDF" you might find helpful. Sorry you will have to do a search for it as this site won't allow me to post the hyperlink. I didn't see them on their list, however it has a plethora of helpful contact information of growers/suppliers throughout Australia. Happy hunting, Chris.
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22 Sep 15, Jen (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
There is no mention when one can expect the first potato shoots to show above ground?? How long do I have to wait before they may be spoilt or dead???Especially in experimental container growing?>?> thank you Jen
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08 Oct 15, Chris Petersen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Jen, I grow my potatoes in 50 liter potato bags. I "chit" them before planting, then plant 3 of them 4" from the bottom of the bag and cover them with 3-4" growing media. They are well watered twice a week and usually the first shoots break the surface 3-4 weeks later. I continue to add more growing media as the shoots grow until the bag is full to the top. Keep the water up to them and fertilize as required. Harvest when plants die-down or at first sign of blight. Happy Gardening, Chris.
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12 Sep 15, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where do I get certified seed (AA grade) for mondial potatoes
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08 Sep 15, Bloodhound (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, I have a partly shaded to filtered sun garden area with limited success with tomatoes, spinach, carrots and zucchini. I was thinking about potatoes, what do you suggest?
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04 Sep 15, Jill (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks very much for your clear, helpful instructions. Much appreciated.
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30 Aug 15, ilona bresca (Australia - temperate climate)
why not plant the potatoes that have gone green in the kitchen. can you still eat them after peeling the green off ?
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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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