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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30 Jan 15, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes, too early, wait to August...August to Nov/Dec should be fine.
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01 Feb 15, Amy (Australia - temperate climate)
Ok, thanks ! I hope I can wait that long!
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22 Jan 15, (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
How can I slow down vegetative growth in mondial potato
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04 Dec 14, Reuben (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I am staying in NORTH WEST in MAHIKENG area and need to know best months to plant potatoes aswell a s the best seed suitable for our area...My other place consists of LOAM SOIL and the other is CLAY SOIL,,,I need to know which is best suited ?...Thanking you in advance...
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03 Apr 16, Accumulater (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Potatoes like loam sandy soil not clay in mpumulanga in a small town for many years there where a potato festival and the soil there is loam. By my also in mpumulanga we have turf soil similar to clay yet soil is very stiff hard like stone when it hasnt come in contact with rain and cracks up very deep below
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04 Nov 14, Natalie (Australia - temperate climate)
Do potatoes mind clay soil. I heard they grow anyway and will help to break up the soil
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17 Oct 14, graham (Australia - temperate climate)
i live in tasmania had a frost should i remove the dead parts from my potato plants all just leav them thanks
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13 Oct 14, Lachlan (Australia - temperate climate)
If I am doing no dig potatoes, do I need to use crop rotation?
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29 Oct 14, Genevieve (Australia - temperate climate)
Absolutely, can't plant potatoes in the same spot for 3-4 years unfortunately due to diseases.
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30 Oct 14, Lachlan (Australia - temperate climate)
But they are not in the soil.
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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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