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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17 Mar 16, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I personally love Savannah cultivar. Mondial is also good.
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19 Feb 16, Rikie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
1)What kind of potatoes will grow best in East London, (Eastern Cape)? 2)Where can I buy these seed potatoes as hardware stores do not keep it anymore?
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12 Sep 15, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where do I get certified seed (AA grade) for mondial potatoes
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12 Jun 15, Mvembe Tafirenyika Arthur (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Does mondial potato seed produce many flowers.I planted one hectare of the product.Its left with 3 weeks to mature but there were fewer flowers .Not all of them had flowers. Is it okay like that.
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08 Jun 15, Lucky Ramaabya (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
where can one get the seeds for potatoes more especially when in Botswana
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19 Mar 15, Emmaculate ramphela (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I have a pice of land where I want to plant the potatoes. So I don't know what to do as a first step to start this project.
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22 Jan 15, (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
How can I slow down vegetative growth in mondial potato
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04 Dec 14, Reuben (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I am staying in NORTH WEST in MAHIKENG area and need to know best months to plant potatoes aswell a s the best seed suitable for our area...My other place consists of LOAM SOIL and the other is CLAY SOIL,,,I need to know which is best suited ?...Thanking you in advance...
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03 Apr 16, Accumulater (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Potatoes like loam sandy soil not clay in mpumulanga in a small town for many years there where a potato festival and the soil there is loam. By my also in mpumulanga we have turf soil similar to clay yet soil is very stiff hard like stone when it hasnt come in contact with rain and cracks up very deep below
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11 Sep 14, Jean Bittkau (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
You can cut off a piece of potato with 2 eyes . Let the cut dry out for a day or two. This helps seal in moisture and prevents rot setting in.
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Showing 81 - 90 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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