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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31 Mar 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Have a look at this site www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/potato/determinate-indeterminate-potatoes.htm Or do an online search - lots of articles available.
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20 Mar 19, Donelda (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Do you cover up the green leaves with soil as well as they shoot through or just pile up the soil around the leaves and have the leaves themselves uncovered?
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24 Mar 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Have a look at this site https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-earth-up-potatoes/
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20 Dec 18, Steve (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Is it too cold to grow potatoes @350m above sea level on Mt Taranaki
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21 Dec 18, Mike (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Should be ok - as long as you harvest before next winter's frosts. Plenty of sun.
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15 Mar 18, Heather (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I grew potatoes this year for the first time. I planted 12 pots and all I got back was about nine or ten potatoes. I planted mustard over the winter, dug in etc. it was very dry and I didn't water much could this be the problem. I thought if I watered too much they might rot. What did I do wrong? Thanks
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13 Sep 18, Mike (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Have good loose soil, not too rich in N. Dig a furrow 12 (?)
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01 Aug 18, Doug T (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I've had that happen a couple of times in containers - it seems they like warm conditions but cool roots or they just produce leaf growth. And yes plenty of water - about an inch a week. Soil should be sticky.
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08 Dec 17, PATRICK FOLEY (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi I would love to get some of those Maori potatoes any chance ?
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18 Dec 17, Ann (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I bought some moi moi potatoes at the local organic supermarket Huckelberrys in the vege section. I tried planting 5 in a 20 litre and had quite good success. same with yams and kumara.
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Showing 21 - 30 of 70 comments
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I live in Zone 10A and have been growing russet and golden potatoes in grow bags and large containers here for about three years, and I notice I can plant them year-round and they will grow, just slower in winter, and if we get an occasional frost, it may kill the top, and when temps hit around 100 or hotter the potato tops may die off also. No matter what time of year, my potatoes often grow for a few months and then the tops start to die off no matter the season or conditions, but I don't know why, so when that happens, I'll reduce the watering for a couple weeks and then harvest. I try to do "succession" planting, so I always have some potatoes growing, and am still experimenting with what works best, especially trying to learn more about correct watering for the Zone 10A conditions. I do have better success, producing more and larger potatoes, with 10-20 gallon and larger containers than the 7-gallon fabric grow bags.

- 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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