Growing Potato

Solanum tuberosum : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
            P P P P P  

(Best months for growing Potato in Australia - temperate regions)

  • P = Plant seed potatoes
  • Plant tuber. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 30 - 40 cm 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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03 May 13, Tessa (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
In SA it is quite common for people to grow vegetables in old tyres. This would also work really well with potatoes because you can just tip them over and harvest the potatoes very easily. I know this article say you shouldn't, but has anyone tried?
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03 Feb 13, Derek Cooper (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I would be grateful if anyone could advise me as to a late planting variety of potatoe available in S.A. It appears that the variety favoured in the USA is Butte. Any advice would be most welcome
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22 Oct 12, Mlungisi (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
As from 2010 I have been planting potato seedlings in my backyard garden what I noticed is that they do not flower for pollination to take place but when I harvested them I got big quality tubers. The following year I planted the potato seeding in winter and they thrived well but the same thing of not flowering happened again and the harvest was good. This is surprising me really ,. What could be the reason for these potato plant not flowering but able to form tubers.
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06 Jul 12, Martin (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi Can potatoes be planted in a tunnel or does it need bees for polination?
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Showing 111 - 114 of 114 comments
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I have grown some potatoes in flexi-bins - the light cheaper ones, 30 and 40 litre sizes. Drainage holes I melted into the sides of the containers with a hot pipe (neat holes) about 50mm or 2" up from the bottom. The holes being higher, allows a pool of water to remain in the pot and excess to drain out. Try a little potting mix about half full and top up the shoots with straw etc. Works well and containers are reasonably easy to move if required.

- Selwyn Law

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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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