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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06 Aug 13, Annie Bate (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I grow potatoes that were bought from a supermarket last year. I would like to grow them in a pot.
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12 Aug 13, toby (Australia - temperate climate)
I always use potatoes that were bought from the market.Ijust leave a few in the window until they shoot,then cut them in about four pieces leaving a shoot on each.
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03 Aug 13, leanne (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
If your potatoes are still in the ground and light has turned the tops green are they still alright to cover with earth or should you throw them away?
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16 Aug 13, Judy K. (Australia - temperate climate)
Do not eat the green potato, it is toxic.
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28 Jul 13, Anita (Australia - temperate climate)
? Can I grow potatoes in my garden with just home compost ? I do this but they grow slow ,can you tell me if this is o k Thank you ANITA
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30 Jul 13, (Australia - temperate climate)
IS IT OK TO USE BLOOD & BONE ON MY POTATOES ?
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17 Sep 13, Catherine (Australia - temperate climate)
YES, IT IS. MIX IT UP WITH THE SOIL.
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21 Jul 13, [email protected] (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I planted my potatoes at the end of may they have flowered how long before I can dig them up. .'i remember when in Ireland mum said it was about 3 months ,usually until the top "withered. Please advise me
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14 Jul 13, SueBateson (Australia - temperate climate)
Your potatoes will eventually grow through. It is a little cool yet but they will take off as soon as it warms up a bit,you will be eating them by Christmas. 30cm is a little deep, 15cm is enough really but deeper means as the plant grows upwards it will send off more roots and shoots which equals more potatoes in the end. If they are planted more shallow you can add mulch and just leave a leaf or two uncovered, do this every month or so until they are hilled up, flower and die down, then just spread it out to harvest them rather than digging down 30cm.
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13 Jul 13, Kyria (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm growing my first crop atm and think I've done it ll wrong! I started with planting potatoes that have sprouted in about 25-30cm deep.. It's been a good two weeks and haven't had any sign of life... What are you thoughts?
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Sweet potato farmers here grow sprouts by “bedding” seed potatoes in March. This is done by placing the whole potato in the ground, covering them with a thin layer of soil and plastic. Sprouts will be cut and transplanted from the greenhouse or bedding field to a different field in May or June. It takes approximately 90-120 days without frost to grow a sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are ready to dig 90-120 days after sprouts are transplanted. Around here in August the rows are plowed and sweet potatoes are flipped on top of the ground. Most sweet potatoes are cured. Curing changes starches in the sweet potatoes into sugar, making it sweeter and the skin tougher. It takes 4-7 days of 80-85̊ temperature and 80-90% relative humidity to cure sweet potatoes. After being cured, sweet potatoes are stored at temperatures between 55-60º F and 85% relative humidity. This special storage process is why sweet potatoes are available 365 days a year here in USA. Here in North Carolina, USA sweet potatoes are shipped all over the world. It is one of our largest farmed food crops. I hope this helps... ~Melinda

- Melinda Schwab

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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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