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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04 Jun 20, Pastor Dennis Naidoo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
HI I want to plant some UTD Potatoes in my back yard. Where can i buy seed potatoes and which month will be good to plant them. I live in KZN Richards Bay Regards Dennis
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19 Jul 20, Astrid (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Have a look at https://livingseeds.co.za/potatoes - they sell seed potatoes and ship to anywhere in SA (at the right time of the year). They always stock standard coloured potatoes as well as occasionally some novel heirloom ones. Also on that page is a link with guidance on growing potatoes. Pre-orders are opening soon, shipping is early August ready for you to plant.
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05 Jun 20, Anonymous (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
You need to work out your climate zone from the BLUE CLIMATE ZONE TAB at the top of the page. Then check when to plant. Buy from seed selling websites, nursery, farmer produce store, hardware & gardening stores.
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27 Apr 20, Shirley (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
When growing potatoes what fertilizer does one use
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28 Apr 20, Anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Just look for a general all round gardening fertiliser. If you look at all the fertilisers for different crops there is not a big difference in the NPK of them. Depending on your soil 8-12N, 3-6P, 3-6K. I read of fertilisers like 10, 10, 10, and 8, 8, 8. I don't know where you buy them (USA stores?).
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10 Apr 20, George Linos (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi, I'm located in South Africa, Gauteng province in the town of Boksburg (near OR Tambo International airport. Is it possible to plant potatoes here early April to grow through winter? We dont have snow and rarely have frost? Regards
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14 Apr 20, Anon (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
The guide here says Jan to March - it is now April. I suggest you plant ASAP.
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29 Mar 20, Mkhacani (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Where can I buy the seeds; iam in Giyani What time to plant temperature is +_32 degrees
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01 Apr 20, Anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Buy from a nursery, farm produce agency, seed selling online store. Some hardware/garden store might have them.
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30 Mar 20, Another gardener (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Read the notes here the info is all there. One thing they say is to plant Aug/Sept etc, same as where I live in Australia. But here they plant April/May and also in Aug Sept.
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Showing 21 - 30 of 113 comments
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That's a big subject! I'd say it depends on what you're trying to achieve. Do you just want a few really good veggies? Do you want to grow as much of your daily food as possible? Does your garden need to be aesthetically pleasing? There are lots of books on container gardening, you could try browsing your local library online. If space is limited, I say think about which veggies you love the most, which are pricey at the store, and which are most improved by eating fresh. Basil and salad greens for instance, are very easy to grow but very overpriced at the store. Corn and tomatoes are so much better homegrown. Whereas potatoes and onions are cheap at the store and not THAT much better homegrown so they're only worth it if you have plenty of space to devote. My advice for a beginner would be to start small and manageable, and build on that each year. Maybe this year buy a couple of Earthboxes or DIY a knockoff, and just grow a few of your favorite veggies. This will also reveal what some of your challenges might be. For instance my first year raccoons ate all my sweet corn, that taught me I would need a good fence in the future. ;-)

- colleen

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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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