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 10°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 30 - 40 cm 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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05 Mar 17, Garey (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Hi.. when is the best time to dig Red Dakotas.? They are flowering at the moment.Should I wait until the flowers die off?? We live in the Mackenzie Country...Frosts probally will start April..Thank you
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06 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
About a month after flowering you can carefully dig around the plant and harvest 'new' potatoes. These are delicious to eat but will not keep. Potatoes harvested after the tops have died off in late autumn are called 'old' potatoes. These will store well in a cool, dry place until early spring when rising temperatures will cause them to start and sprout. All the best.
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02 Mar 17, Ashley (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Can you recommend a variety of PURPLE potato please?
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03 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
I am in Australia and varieties of potato that are available vary across the Tasman. Check with Potatoes New Zealand at www.potatoesnz.co.nz . They list Purple Heart with purple skin and flesh and Purple Passion with purple skin and yellow flesh. Trust this helps.
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28 Feb 17, Rex Peni (New Zealand - temperate climate)
1 acre how much seed do I need what's the best variety how much fertilizer give it a go
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28 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
What variety you grow depends on wht you want to use them for eg. mashing, baking, chips, all rounder, etc. You could contact www.potatoes.co.nz for the most suitable variety to grow. They would also be able to guide you on fertilisers or other soil amendments.
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28 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
The quantity of seed you would need depends on a number of things - how wide the rows are, how good the soil is, how you are going to cultivate them, etc. As a guide you would need 5-800 kg/acre. I would suggest you contact your local Primary Industries or Agriculture Department for a more accurate quantity. They will know your area and often have charts allowing for different row widths and planting densities to calculate quantities. Happy spud growing!
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26 Feb 17, Lorna Carter (New Zealand - temperate climate)
End of February can I plant potatos now? Position not a lot of sun and no frosts
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26 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
If you've not got anything else to plant give them a go. I have grown potatoes on the east side of the house which is shaded by flats next door first off then the house after midday. You're not likely to get the yield that you would with a spring-planted crop but any potato is better than no potato! Trust this helps.
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17 Feb 17, David Reade (New Zealand - temperate climate)
If I planted seed potatoes now (Feb 17) is there any chance I'd get a crop before winter sets in?
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Showing 41 - 50 of 68 comments
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I live in Southern California Zone 10A and grow potatoes year-round in bags and containers, anywhere from 5 to 15 gallons size. I have found what works well for me is to put about 4-6 inches of good soil in the container, lay a few seed potatoes on top so the slips are pointed up, about 12 inches apart, then cover them with about 4-6 inches of soil, and water moderately or they will rot. These potatoes will only produce new tubers in the soil about 6-12 inches above the original seed potatoes, so when the plants are about a foot above the soil, if I have any new add seed potatoes and the container has enough room, when I add more soil I may consider adding a few more seed potatoes that will produce "baby potatoes" above the older tubers, then cover them with another 6 inches of soil that will also bury more of the new growth of the first seed potatoes. Doing this stimulates more growth, and I may even add even more soil as the plants get taller depending on the depth of the container. I don't always add the second layer of seed potatoes, but doing this produces a few larger potatoes below (Baked Potatoes!) and a lot of smaller potatoes above them, and they are all excellent eating. I am growing Russet, Golden, and Red potatoes in containers, but I think they are all determinant varieties since they are all started from potatoes purchased in grocery stores, and each plant only produces tubers in the area near the seed potato, but do not continue to produce tubers as the plants get taller no matter how much more soil is added. I am still learning as I go, such as "location, location, location!" is making a noticeable difference on how successful my efforts are, and I would like to find an indeterminant variety potato that will grow well in Zone 10A.

- dz

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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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