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
14 Apr 20, Anon (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
The guide here says Jan to March - it is now April. I suggest you plant ASAP.
Reply or Post a new comment
02 Apr 20, Danielle (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi, I'm researching when to plant potato, Iknow they make good companion plants with broad beans... if braod beans are ready to be planted now (I live in Melbourne) can I also plant potatoes too? Please help, the internet is confusing... Many thanks in advance, Dan
Reply or Post a new comment
03 Apr 20, Anon (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Check the pages here for broad beans - plant April-May and August - Sept. Potatoes plant Sept to Dec.
Reply or Post a new comment
03 Apr 20, Genevieve (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Potatoes are normally planted in mid to late spring when the possibility of frost is over.
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Mar 20, Mkhacani (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Where can I buy the seeds; iam in Giyani What time to plant temperature is +_32 degrees
Reply or Post a new comment
01 Apr 20, Anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Buy from a nursery, farm produce agency, seed selling online store. Some hardware/garden store might have them.
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Mar 20, Another gardener (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Read the notes here the info is all there. One thing they say is to plant Aug/Sept etc, same as where I live in Australia. But here they plant April/May and also in Aug Sept.
Reply or Post a new comment
22 Mar 20, Gretta (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I have dense clay yard soil with rocks so I may need to get ALOT of mulch to grow potatoes in zone 9b. Right? I'm a total beginner so any tips or feedback for zone 9b would be appreciated
Reply or Post a new comment
07 Jun 20, Ross (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I like the idea from the gardener in Australia. G'Day to you. I also have soil like you with clay and rock so digging the trench allows a quick easy replacement but drainage can be a problem with the rocky clay soil. Potatoes love water but too much and they will rot. Try choosing a location with a higher elevation if possible. Sometimes rain pooling can be avoided at higher locations by digging a small trench as a drain. Avoid areas that are already wet or are typically wet. At my place the trench filled with water and took more that a week to drain. I back filled the trench and chose another location.
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Mar 20, Chris (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You could try digging a shallow trench, put the seed potatoes in this, and cover with straw/mulch and compost or rotted manure. Keep topping up the straw as the potatoes grow. You'll end up with potatoes and some good quality soil.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 181 - 190 of 820 comments
See comments for all plants

Neig, the potatoes you planted were probably determinant, which means they will only produce tubers for a limited space even if the green growth continues and you keep burying it as it gets taller. That is what I discovered when I tried to grow in potato bags that are 17" tall, 13" in diameter. I used store bought potatoes and used any that started sprouting as seed potatoes, and began with 6" of soil, put seed potatoes on top, added another 6" of soil, and when the tops got about 8" above the soil, I kept added soil as they grew, thinking the plant would produce more tubers above the original layer, but none have ever done so, so I think all my russet, golden, and red potatoes originally purchased from stores are all determinant varieties. If anyone knows of any indeterminant varieties suitable for container gardening in Zone 10A, please post.

- dz

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.