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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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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28 Jul 15, etelka. (Australia - tropical climate)
When is the best time to plant potatoes in gold coast ....
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01 Aug 15, kath (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted tubers on 1st july and they are already growing. My large potato tub is looking like trees at the moment as all the potato tubers have sprouted. I find this to be a good time of year to plant tubers. I'm located in Brissie.
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20 Jul 15, clark (Australia - temperate climate)
When do we plant potato seed Tasmania
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Showing 491 - 500 of 831 comments
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I'd never grow spuds in the ground. It's too hard to dig them up without damaging them. Instead why don't you try this. Grab a plastic rubbish bin and put some holes in the bottom for drainage Put 3 inches of straw in the bottom covered by a bit of mushroom compost or soil for a bed. Add your seed potatoes or eyes and cover with 3 inches of straw and 2 inches of soil. Liberally sprinkle with a good quality fetiliser. Keep this blend damp. When the potato plants show through, cover again with the same mix of straw, fertiliser and soil. Repeat until the bin is full and then allow the plants to mature as they grow out the top. When ready for harvest simply tip out your lovely clean spuds

- Steve H

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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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