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

21 Jul 13, [email protected] (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I planted my potatoes at the end of may they have flowered how long before I can dig them up. .'i remember when in Ireland mum said it was about 3 months ,usually until the top "withered. Please advise me
14 Jul 13, SueBateson (Australia - temperate climate)
Your potatoes will eventually grow through. It is a little cool yet but they will take off as soon as it warms up a bit,you will be eating them by Christmas. 30cm is a little deep, 15cm is enough really but deeper means as the plant grows upwards it will send off more roots and shoots which equals more potatoes in the end. If they are planted more shallow you can add mulch and just leave a leaf or two uncovered, do this every month or so until they are hilled up, flower and die down, then just spread it out to harvest them rather than digging down 30cm.
13 Jul 13, Kyria (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm growing my first crop atm and think I've done it ll wrong! I started with planting potatoes that have sprouted in about 25-30cm deep.. It's been a good two weeks and haven't had any sign of life... What are you thoughts?
03 Jul 13, vivianne (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It is july 3rd 2013, i am planning to plant potatoes in bags out of the frost. Will they grown. oh yes i am in katoomba nsw 2780
05 Jul 13, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
July sounds a bit early for potatoes in Katoomba - I guess it might work if you can keep them completely protected from frost. I usually wait until September/October.
22 Jun 13, Justin (Australia - temperate climate)
If you keep building up the compost as it grows you will get more potatoes from your crop. Just be sure to protect them from frost. Growing my first crop atm and have found potatoes as big as a 50c piece after a month and a half. Don't let the nitrogen get too high or the energy will go to the leaves instead of the potatoes.
22 Jun 13, Ann Birchall (Australia - temperate climate)
How do I grow new potatoes as grown in England? Which is the best sort for this?
18 Jun 13, john (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have a bed of potatoes 20cm deep x40cm apart. have hilled them up as suggested some are beginning to flower . They were very healthy looking plants however they are now falling over and some appear to be withering. Is it too late to hill them further and would this help
26 Jun 13, Paddy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am having the same problem and think it may be due to the amount of rain we've had lately. I dug around one and the development of the tuber seems to be ok. Let me know how your crop progresses.
28 May 13, Ray (Australia - temperate climate)
I have read in gardening books that tyres can be used 4 spuds ? but you say NO can you please exsplane . (Some reasons are well set out here http://www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk/news/11-news/363-growing-food-in-tyres.html Liz)
Showing 591 - 600 of 820 comments

Hi, I live in an apartment with a west facing balcony and about to experiment with my "potting Garden" Wish me luck lol. Was just wondering if potatoes would have any problem on my balcony since it is west facing?

- Filly

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.