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

17 Jan 17, Sharron (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Hi. Do you ever grow 'early' potatoes late? ie just use them whenever you would like a quick crop of potatoes? And what is your favourite for flavour? I'm growing Arran Banner now. I just got a community garden plot in December and I found a bag for peanuts. They are doing well, planted mid December, but they are forming flowers already. Cheers
22 Oct 09, Ryan (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi guys, i am giving potatoes a shot for the first time, but have no idea how to tell when to harvest! any advice would be great, thanks! (sorry if this has already been asked)
09 Sep 09, Jane (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Lisa, yes the actual potato is green if it has been subject to light so you should keep the plants well mulched in case the potatoes are close to the surface, my spuds are still showing no signs of shooting, they are in the potting shed in egg cartons, will they shoot soon? Or shall I just plant them now? They are certified seed spuds.
02 Sep 09, lisa (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
i have planted potatoes about 3-4 weeks ago (i didnt bury them as i have very hard soil here) and have been covering them over as they shoot. how long do you have to do this as i keep getting told from people there should be no need to cover them over as they grow. also the poisonous thing is a bit scary - how do you know if the potato is green? is the actual potato that you dig up a green colour?? thanks, L
27 Jun 10, kathy (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi,Lisa,don't wworry,you will see definite pale or darker green in your potatoes.Light or dark,you would'nt miss it. Good luck. kathy
02 Sep 09, Adrienne (Australia - temperate climate)
I am so confused about how to sprout seed potatoes. My local nursery says keep them in the cool and dark but a reputable gardening writer spent a page saying keep them in the warmth and light. My Ruby Lou's have only about 1/2cm of growth after almost 2 months. Please help!!!
22 Aug 09, jenny (Australia - temperate climate)
I notice people have already planted potato tubers? Am I too late?
04 Aug 09, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Thank you for telling me all about growing potatoes. At school our project is to grow potatoes independently. Thank you, your web site has helped.
25 Jul 09, Jane (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks Emma. Yes I know about green potatoes being poisonous that's why I was worried about planting them but I think, like you, that the new ones should be okay. No shoots appearing yet though, still a bit early to plant here.
20 Jul 09, Sarah (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Regarding the earlier comments about frost, i once flatted with a woman who forgot to harvest the container potatoes she was growing before the frosts arrived - and it can get down to -5 here, although -2 or -3 is more usual - and they came away again the next spring. i have no idea how the crop turned out, since i moved out before she dug them up, but it's worth bearing in mind that potatoes are the storage unit for the plant. if your plants get frosted, it just might mean that you have to wait until the next year for your crop.
Showing 731 - 740 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

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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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