Growing Potato

Solanum tuberosum : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      P P              

(Best months for growing Potato in USA - Zone 5a 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 Apr 18, Makhosini Mdluli (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi. Is it recommended to plant potatoes in Tyres here in SA (Gauteng)
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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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05 Mar 18, Peter (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it possible to grow potatoes in a bag in autumn in Melbourne
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06 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Doesn't matter much what you grow it in, as long as you look after it to suit how you are growing it. Give it a go.
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08 Mar 18, (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm talking about temperate zone climate and planting this time of year
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09 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
A lot of places can grow 2 crops a year. Autumn and Spring. An old saying was plant potatoes on St Patrick's Day I believe - which is 17th March I think. A commercial grower in Bundaberg plants in May. When the weather has cooled off a bit from summer, plant up - late March - May.
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12 Mar 18, (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm in Melbourne temperate climate
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13 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
If you look it up here on this website it say temperate plant in the spring.
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I forgot to mention -- and kept forgetting to post this additional part. When you are "hilling up" you are actually burying LEAVES. Leaves have specialized tissue to COLLECT LIGHT -- that is to say, they are NOT ROOTS -- so to me, burying leaves is NOT CORRECT. It may help to get the potatoes producing sooner, BUT somehow to me if a potato plant made leaves it wanted to collect light -- roots are different, they are sort of thin and round/tube like and are used to transport water and nutrients -- AGAIN: leaves are leaves and roots are roots -- and when I stop and think about it burying leaves doesn't seem right... and my gut instinct is saying that it is not correct. I have also noticed that roots are thinner, and are probably easier for the plant to make/grow -- leaves look like they take a lot of work/nutrition -- so why bury something that is specialized to be above the ground???....... again, the pros may say otherwise and have lots of data and past successes to prove their view point. I have done it both ways (not sure why I did- but I did) and really have not noticed any differences in OVERALL potato production.... so why bury the leaves and make all that extra work hilling up ??? Also, potato tubers seem to like lots of air flow... so make sure the soil is light or ir your in containers ensure lots of holes near the bottom sides to create updrafts..

- Celeste Archer

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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. Gardenate 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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