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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10 Nov 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
If the soil is fairly dry they could keep for a couple of weeks in the soil. When you dig them up, leave in the sun or a shaded place for 1 or 2 days to toughen the skin a bit then store in a cool dark place.
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06 Sep 22, Neil (Australia - temperate climate)
What are the best eating potato and for storage - Thank you
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08 Sep 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Depends which ones you like and if the potatoes are picked the right time (mature) they will keep in a cool place.
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02 Sep 22, Geri (USA - Zone 7b climate)
Not enough water or not enough nutrients. My guess is water.
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19 Jul 22, dz (USA - Zone 10a climate)
I just read about Determinate and Indeterminate potatoes. Which varieties of Indeterminate potatoes do well in Zone 10A?
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21 Jul 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Check on google what varieties are indeterminate and then see if any in your area.
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13 Jun 22, Tedele (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can I plant potato in June July or August I live in western cape south africa
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21 Sep 22, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Yes, you can.
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17 Jun 22, Anonymous (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Go to the blue tab above CLIMATE ZONE and work out your zone and the check planting times.
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13 Jun 22, Deb (USA - Zone 10a climate)
How late can you start growing potato’s? My first batch was planted March 20 but plants are already wilting back and I was wondering if I could plant more in June?
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I forgot to mention -- and kept forgetting to post this additional part. When you are "hilling up" you are actually burying LEAVES. Leaves have specialized tissue to COLLECT LIGHT -- that is to say, they are NOT ROOTS -- so to me, burying leaves is NOT CORRECT. It may help to get the potatoes producing sooner, BUT somehow to me if a potato plant made leaves it wanted to collect light -- roots are different, they are sort of thin and round/tube like and are used to transport water and nutrients -- AGAIN: leaves are leaves and roots are roots -- and when I stop and think about it burying leaves doesn't seem right... and my gut instinct is saying that it is not correct. I have also noticed that roots are thinner, and are probably easier for the plant to make/grow -- leaves look like they take a lot of work/nutrition -- so why bury something that is specialized to be above the ground???....... again, the pros may say otherwise and have lots of data and past successes to prove their view point. I have done it both ways (not sure why I did- but I did) and really have not noticed any differences in OVERALL potato production.... so why bury the leaves and make all that extra work hilling up ??? Also, potato tubers seem to like lots of air flow... so make sure the soil is light or ir your in containers ensure lots of holes near the bottom sides to create updrafts..

- 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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