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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08 Oct 15, Chris Petersen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Jen, I grow my potatoes in 50 liter potato bags. I "chit" them before planting, then plant 3 of them 4" from the bottom of the bag and cover them with 3-4" growing media. They are well watered twice a week and usually the first shoots break the surface 3-4 weeks later. I continue to add more growing media as the shoots grow until the bag is full to the top. Keep the water up to them and fertilize as required. Harvest when plants die-down or at first sign of blight. Happy Gardening, Chris.
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08 Sep 15, Bloodhound (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, I have a partly shaded to filtered sun garden area with limited success with tomatoes, spinach, carrots and zucchini. I was thinking about potatoes, what do you suggest?
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04 Sep 15, Jill (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks very much for your clear, helpful instructions. Much appreciated.
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30 Aug 15, ilona bresca (Australia - temperate climate)
why not plant the potatoes that have gone green in the kitchen. can you still eat them after peeling the green off ?
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10 Oct 15, Sarah (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
We constantly find potatoes growing in our compost (usually green ones I've thrown in) so I have long since stopped buying seed potatoes! Potatoes that are just starting to green, I just peel til they're not green anymore and never had any side effects. That said, one of our dogs ate a rather green potato while she was a pup...the associated get bill made for a very expensive potato crop that year...!
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15 Aug 15, Lynda Rice (Australia - temperate climate)
How long should my Potatoes take to grow? I have just tried to dig up one plant and the potatoes are still really tiny so obviously not ready yet. How do I tell when to dig them up? Should I be fertilising and if so with what? Thanks
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16 Oct 15, Lachlan Turner (Australia - temperate climate)
Wait till the above ground foliage dies off.
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19 Aug 15, Sarah Johnstone (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Lynda, potatoes take about 5 months or so to grow to a good size. You'll get an assortment of sizes. They're ready to harvest when the vine starts to wither. The smaller potatoes are good to keep for next year's crop. If the vines aren't withering after 5-6 months, you can try to kill them off yourself, apparently that's what they do in Idaho (or so a friend tells me!)
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15 Aug 15, Sally (Australia - temperate climate)
Could some one please tell me when to plant potatoes in Melbourne, Victoria Cherrs
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20 Aug 15, Porto (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Sally, plant now if you want new spuds for Christmas. I have just put mine in, and I always plant on 15th August
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Showing 271 - 280 of 563 comments
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I live in Southern California Zone 10A and grow potatoes year-round in bags and containers, anywhere from 5 to 15 gallons size. I have found what works well for me is to put about 4-6 inches of good soil in the container, lay a few seed potatoes on top so the slips are pointed up, about 12 inches apart, then cover them with about 4-6 inches of soil, and water moderately or they will rot. These potatoes will only produce new tubers in the soil about 6-12 inches above the original seed potatoes, so when the plants are about a foot above the soil, if I have any new add seed potatoes and the container has enough room, when I add more soil I may consider adding a few more seed potatoes that will produce "baby potatoes" above the older tubers, then cover them with another 6 inches of soil that will also bury more of the new growth of the first seed potatoes. Doing this stimulates more growth, and I may even add even more soil as the plants get taller depending on the depth of the container. I don't always add the second layer of seed potatoes, but doing this produces a few larger potatoes below (Baked Potatoes!) and a lot of smaller potatoes above them, and they are all excellent eating. I am growing Russet, Golden, and Red potatoes in containers, but I think they are all determinant varieties since they are all started from potatoes purchased in grocery stores, and each plant only produces tubers in the area near the seed potato, but do not continue to produce tubers as the plants get taller no matter how much more soil is added. I am still learning as I go, such as "location, location, location!" is making a noticeable difference on how successful my efforts are, and I would like to find an indeterminant variety potato that will grow well in Zone 10A.

- 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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