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 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

16 Feb 21, Anonymous (USA - Zone 4a climate)
Look up the internet for varieties in your state/country.
09 Feb 21, Patricia Adams (USA - Zone 8b climate)
I'm a beginner an is really fascinated with patio & container garden.what information can you give to be successful
01 Mar 21, Matt stephens (USA - Zone 9b climate)
My first season growing potatoes was last year. We used the Ruth Stout Method and had no problems. We created the raised bed, turned the dirt and added a layer of compost, then put the potatoes down and laid hay on top. We added a good 6-10 in of straw over the top when the sprout came out of the soil. Best and easiest method I have ever seen or heard of. What is described on here is also interesting, I just don't have enough cardboard or newspaper, so I'll be using straw again this year. Just a side note, we have seen/heard people grow things directly in the straw bale too. Usually when they don't have space in their yard, or no yard at all. This method also works well. Good luck!
04 Dec 21, Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 7b Mild Temperate climate)
I've used straw to mound my potatoes and had a lot of issues with slugs and other insects. The straw also made it difficult to water (surprisingly), I had to add a lot of water to get down to the plant roots - I think when it is all soil, the water distributes better. I would use straw again, but it would not be my go to choice; but when there's not enough soil, straw is certainly easy to transport, light and affordable, additionally it is a byproduct (3rd cut) of another process. The straw also left the underlying soil in really good shape (taking the brunt of the sun and wind).
12 Feb 21, colleen (USA - Zone 10b climate)
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. ;-)
11 Feb 21, Gary Hall (Australia - arid climate)
Patricia you need to find out what the Potato season is for your climate Zone 8b is check with local Nursery or where you buy seed potato don't use culinary potato's as they might have fungus or disease.
31 Dec 20, max (USA - Zone 5a climate)
Some gardeners keep stacking wood boxes and a light soil mix as the plants grow. It is said that potatoes will fill the whole stack of boxes. My attempts at this have failed. Can this approach be made to work?
27 Mar 21, Sarah (USA - Zone 5b climate)
I tried the same last season and it didn't work for me either...kept hauling dirt and leaves uphill to potato tower with no results come harvest time. That was my first year growing potatoes. I just found out this morning that potatoes can be determinate or indeterminate. Determinate types supposedly have a smaller plant,, harvest earlier, and only grow in one layer thus do not require hilling(although they should be covered enough so roots don't show). I must have planted a determinate variety last year. because mine only grew in one layer. Check the variety you are planning to grow. I bought seed potatoes this year and am about to plant them. I have more confidence now that I know. what they are and how they behave!
05 Jan 21, (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Do some research on the internet about how to do it. I wouldn't go more than about 50-60cm high, 20-24 inches. Soil would need to be fertile. Don't over water. Or just do it the normal way and hill the soil up as they grow.
24 Dec 20, Bonnie Ember (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Buy cloth potato bags, with flaps. Grow year round. Open velcro flaps, Enjoy! We live in the Sierra, at 3000.' Bring them in, on cold nights.
Showing 31 - 40 of 63 comments

Patricia you need to find out what the Potato season is for your climate Zone 8b is check with local Nursery or where you buy seed potato don't use culinary potato's as they might have fungus or disease.

- Gary Hall

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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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