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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12 Jul 20, Denese Schick (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Hi potato growers! i have been married for 18 years, and all that time i have searched for Red Dakota seed potatoes. i see a few people on here mention them. cant get them up north here. my elderly husband grew them for many years, and i would really love to grow them too. i grow Maori, red deseri, Concord, Dragar, and a few others. i have saved my own seed for nearly 25 years. and would love to grow this special red dakota, which he says are different from other spuds. thand in advance. i would be keen to deposit a few $ in exchange for just 3 or 4 seed in good condition. please be sure of your variety
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26 Jan 23, Hugh (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi - I believe Red Dakota is now on the u/a list. The last I ever bought/ate was in the 1980s, near Blenheim. A well-established market gardening family grew R-Ds, and I was forewarned by the senior man that they would be possibly the last I would get, as they were moving to more popular cultivars. R-Ds were notoriously difficult to clean properly for baking - all those craters - and peeling was a challenge, but they were ideal for roasting.
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13 Jul 20, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Go on the internet and do some research. Look for small and large potato seed selling companies. I just looked at Morton Smith-Dawe but they don't have them, ring them and ask if they know of anyone growing them. Or ring the Potatoes New Zealand and ask.
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05 Mar 20, peter barker (New Zealand - temperate climate)
can i grow seed potatoes in pots from march in Taranaki
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08 Mar 20, ML (New Zealand - temperate climate)
It says to grow in the spring here. Also says that for sub- tropical Queensland Australia. They grow potatoes from April/May here. Give it a try then.
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31 Oct 19, Chris grey (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Can I plant seeded potatoes the week after Christmas for a winter crop? And also if yes what seed potato would be the best? We live in north Canterbury
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01 Nov 19, anon (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
First decide whether you are temperate or cool/mountain - look in the climate zone section. Then read up about the planting times. Then you decide what potatoes you are going to plant. That will depend on what is available in your area.
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29 Mar 19, Bruce Gillanders (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Which are the indeterminant varieties of potato.
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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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Showing 11 - 20 of 68 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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