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
30 May 14, Ngaire (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Two questions: Will Dutch Creams grow in Southern Qld and are Dutch Cream organic seed potatoes available in New Zealand?
Reply or Post a new comment
19 May 14, leseli (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Dear Sir/Madam I'm leseli like to plant potatoes in August 2014 im in Matatiele Next to Kokstard in Estern Cape What i really need on is all the tips that u can give me is my first time to plant potatoes and im willing to make it. where to get the right seed my ph on the siol must be.
Reply or Post a new comment
12 May 14, Dawn (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi, We have planted seed potatoes in the ground and wonder how long they take to sprout. Our soil is acidic
Reply or Post a new comment
11 May 14, mapula (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
hi lydia I am Mapula in limpopo want to plant potatoes.Were can i buy potato seedsin limpopo or gauteng. thanks
Reply or Post a new comment
08 May 14, Peter McIntosh (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I live in Perth and have some potatoes growing ,they are looking very nice and I have built the soil up around them, at what point do you stop building up the soil around each plant ,and do you pinch the top out to stop them growing, We have grown a few potatoes before and we have never had flowers, what promotes flowers Look forward to hearing from you. Cheers Peter
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Apr 14, Melissa Bourke (Australia - temperate climate)
So, the potato plants from the potato flower seed can become a new potato plant that grows tubers? Could this be another source of potato seed iel save that seed?
Reply or Post a new comment
18 Apr 14, heather zaltis (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Can I plant potato tubers in april/may or is it too late?
Reply or Post a new comment
13 Mar 14, NATHALIE SLUIK (Australia - arid climate)
CAN YOU BUY JERSEY BENNE POTATOS IN AUSTRALIA
Reply or Post a new comment
04 Mar 14, kenneth Ntshingila (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
have 3hactors land,good deep soil available for potatoe planting.can get 3000 litre of water per hour is the water enough .What is the best seed to plant in Randfontein area
Reply or Post a new comment
14 Feb 14, jamie shaw (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I put a crop of potatoes on now . Mid Feb south of Perth western Aust
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 531 - 540 of 820 comments
See comments for all plants

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

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put GardenGrow in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.