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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07 Jul 19, david lilliman (Australia - arid climate)
Hi , when do I know when to harvest my potatoes.
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08 Jul 19, (Australia - arid climate)
It does say 15-20 weeks to grow and it does say plant Aug to Dec. Usually the plant tops starts dying off.
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05 Jul 19, Val (Australia - temperate climate)
I didnt plant potatoes but they shot up from last year's crop. They started in autumn but the frost has now killed them. Why did they shoot at such a strange time and will they reshoot - or should I just harvest the new potatoes that they have produced before the frost killed them? I'm in South Gippsland Vic and we get pretty cold nights this time of year.
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08 Jul 19, (Australia - temperate climate)
Harvest them. Crop time is 15-20 weeks from germination/shooting - consider this when planting and frosts.
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21 Jun 19, Cheryl Burke (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Clarence Town NSW. TEMPERATE climate but we do get frosts. I have just bought some seed potatoes. Should I plant them now or wait until August? If I wait, do Ineed to put them in the sun to encourage them to shoot?
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24 Jun 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Put them in your pantry until late August and then plant.
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18 Jun 19, Nox (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
How do I make my potatoes carry more. I intend planting in September
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10 Jun 19, Ol' Dazza (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
where can i buy some spud seeds?
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13 Jun 19, Jello (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Most decent nursery's will stock seed potatoes. Failing that, you can buy them online.
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12 Jun 19, (Australia - temperate climate)
A produce agency (Farming) - Bunnings, Nursery.
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Showing 231 - 240 of 830 comments
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I have grown some potatoes in flexi-bins - the light cheaper ones, 30 and 40 litre sizes. Drainage holes I melted into the sides of the containers with a hot pipe (neat holes) about 50mm or 2" up from the bottom. The holes being higher, allows a pool of water to remain in the pot and excess to drain out. Try a little potting mix about half full and top up the shoots with straw etc. Works well and containers are reasonably easy to move if required.

- Selwyn Law

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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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