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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04 May 17, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)
Tomatoes and potatoes are both members of the Solanacea family. So are capsicums, egg plant, tobacco and deadly nightshade. They are both susceptible to the same diseases. It is therefore healthy to keep them separate.
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23 Apr 17, Vicky (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Hobart, I am hoping to plant potatoes, we don't really get frosts. will they grow? do the potatoes need to sprout before planting? Thanks
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24 Apr 17, Carol (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Vicky, As long as you don't get frosts you can give them a go, although I have more success with early spring plantings - I'm in Central Vic and get some pretty savage frosts at times. I've copied some of the info from this site about potatoes but added a note or two of my own... . [My note - Much cheaper to buy organic spuds from a farmer's market or the like - either way, make sure they have several 'eyes' per potato] Before planting expose seed potatoes to light to start shoots growing [my note - this is known as 'chitting']. [My note - I don't always chit my spuds but you will know by doing this which ones will actually sprout and grow] . [My note - cut them after they have chitted and let them dry for at least 3 days up to 5 if the weather is rainy/humid] Hope this is helpful and good luck! (Some of this reply removed as it is already on the Potato page of Gardenate- Ed:)
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23 Apr 17, Giovanni (Australia - temperate climate)
Potatoes should grow well in Hobart. Plant the tubers in spring when the soil has started to warm up a bit. Sprouting to get the potato started gets it off to a start. it is probably not necessary, as it wouldn't happen naturally, but does give the tuber a good start.
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11 Apr 17, (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
where can I get potato seeds to plant in cape town Hout bay what ratio of organic compost to top soil must I use and must I add riversand
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11 Apr 17, John (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Seed potatoes are normally available from nurseries, etc. in the winter. livingseeds.co.za (online) also list them and there will be other suppliers as well. The ratio of soil to compost is not an easy question to answer but adding well rotted manure or compost can only help. Fresh manure will cause misshapen tubers. Ensure the soil is loose and friable down to about 300 mm (12") and then plant the potato seed pieces about 200 mm (8") deep. Potatoes form off the stem above the root mass and this space will give them room to develop. River sand would be good if the soil is very heavy and hard.
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28 Mar 17, Nomzamo Ntshisela (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I live in the Eastern Cape (former Transkei), can I plant and grow potatoes in winter? I have heard there are potatoes that are winter resistant. Can you advise on that?
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30 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
You didn't mention whether you lived in the coastal region of Eastern Cape or over the ranges but I don't know of any variety that will handle any more than a light frost without damage. I have had potatoes come up throughout the year and the only ones that survived were under the eaves or a verandah. If frosts aren't a problem there is no reason why you can't plant them any time.
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25 Mar 17, Rod Cooke (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Can I plant potatoes now- if not why not
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13 Jul 20, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Planting a crop is about planting at the right time for germination (soil temperature) and then the right air temperature for growing the crop. Then consideration should include hot or cold weather, likely hood of heavy rain, possibility of frosts. It is just not a case of I will plant something when I want to.
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Showing 371 - 380 of 831 comments
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Sorry for the late post -- I think I have the information you are looking for. First NOT ALL potatoes are suited for "tower" growth. So the first question would be how deep are your bags; if the bags are deep enough to be considered a tower, then you need to cross check this with the variety of potato you are growing. Second: when you plant a piece of potato (seed potato) this is your LOWEST POINT. Generally, a potato plant will not produce/store and tubers (potatoes) BELOW the level of the seed potato. This is why people plant the seed potatoes, wait for the green leaves to come up, and mound soil, always leaving enough leaves sticking out to collect light. You'll also note at harvest, that the lowest potato seems to have rotted; this was your seed potato that grew the plant. We plant the seed potato shallow, so the leaves get to the sun sooner/easier and start collecting light; then we mound the soil so there is room for the potato plant to set its tubers (potatoes) -- this means, that you plant you seed potatoes at the bottom of the sack, covering them with several inches of soil, and as the potato plant grows, you add soil.... always try to leave plenty of leaves sticking out of the soil so the plant can collect sun. Hope this help. From the Eagle Creek site (about their tower potato mix): Not all types of potatoes are suited for container growing, typically fingerling and late season varieties yield best. Bellanita, Bintje, Amarosa & German Butterball are the 4 varieties in this package.

- Celeste Archer

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