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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20 Jan 17, Bill Gee (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
See Otago Daily Times Friday 20 January, "plant early maturing potatoes now for harvest at Easter."
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02 Feb 17, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
You can plant a late crop of potatoes in January as long as you have sprouted seed ready. One thing to be wary of is the Psyllid bug as it is active as the weather warms up. There are mesh products available that you drape over the crop and that keeps the bugs off.
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21 Dec 16, Trevor (Australia - temperate climate)
I Live in Portland Victoria And The Temp Changes From Mild To Hot
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11 Dec 16, feel (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
can you plant potatoes in late summer? and what makes the potatoes get the {soft rot}?
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02 Feb 17, Edwin Matebesi (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Hi, When exactly can I plant Potatoes?, Is it posible that I can still plant them in this Period?, I live in Northern cape province-Sub sahara desert. Thanks, Regards
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25 Nov 16, jenny (Australia - temperate climate)
can l plant potatoes late November.
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27 Nov 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Go for it Jenny! There is still plenty of growing time and you could plant them later still. Potatoes can be harvested as 'New' potatoes a month after flowering so even if winter comes early you will still have that 'Old' potatoes are harvested after the tops die down and will keep for longer.
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22 Nov 16, Johan Hugo (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Where can I buy seed potatos in Johannesburg?
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02 Nov 16, ken barker (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Ive tried to grow potatoes twice, but tiny and not many. I have very little sun in yard. Is this the problem? Grow them in containers
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30 Dec 16, Paul (Australia - temperate climate)
It sounds like they have been planted too close together
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Showing 421 - 430 of 831 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. 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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