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 - cool/mountain 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

01 Oct 16, Gerry (Australia - tropical climate)
Can I grow potatoes in my area Ingham in North Queensland, and if so what time of year.?
09 Sep 16, glider (Australia - temperate climate)
It's september 2016, can l grow potatoes in last summers tomatoes bed?
29 Sep 16, chris (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
No they are of the same family, try changing the soil around and giving fresh soil to the bed , then planting.
28 Jul 16, graham paul (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What is the PH required for potatoes? Thanking you, Graham
24 Jul 16, Anthony Scanlon (Australia - temperate climate)
I.planted my seed potatoes in large tubs late May I have kept topping them up they have reached the top of tubs large folage very healthy what to do next. Regards Anthony
03 Oct 16, Lachlan (Australia - temperate climate)
Wait till foliage dies then harvest.
14 Jul 16, Ian (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi we live in Vanuatu south pacific and I was hoping to grow some spuds , we grow kumala here but some white potatoes would be a nice addition. Any thoughts Thanks Ian
26 Jul 16, Trish (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Ian, I'm no expert, but I think that your climate is too tropical for potatoes. I've tried in the past in Brisbane & Gold Coast in the winter, but they quickly rot. I think sweet potatoes are the way to go.
12 Jul 16, Harry (Australia - temperate climate)
I am trying some spouted spuds, planting now July in Sydney.
14 May 16, AGOES SOEDJARWO (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
When the best month to grow potatoes in Katoomba Blue Mountains? Thank you Regards AWS
Showing 241 - 250 of 563 comments

I would like to endorse the comments above regarding the use of tyres to grow Potatoes or in fact use to grow any any food. The rubber compounds in both the carcase and tread contain significant numbers of nasties. Tyres are designed to perform at high speed under quite arduous conditions, absolutely not designed as end of life food growing receptacles! They contain many potential hazards/chemicals, far too many to fully list. I will list just a couple,so that fellow readers who do not have my background can appreciate better what they are dealing with. Firstly the reinforcing Carbon Blacks utilized in the rubber compounds, contain significant amounts of Organo-Nitrogen compounds, blacks of this type are banned for use with any "Potable Water" applications! the reason being these compounds are considered as being high risk carciogens. There are special Blacks made specifically for food contact applications, rubber reinforcing blacks are definitely not suitable. Processing aids, The rubber in the tyres must be made to be strong/resilient/heat resistant; specially designed chemical compounds are encorporated into the rubber compounds to achieve this. The chemical compounds used present problems in many directions, firstly they are not ( dont need to be) pure compounds they contain debris from the chemical synthesis processes used to make them; these same compounds also decompose both during Vulcanization and during the life of the tyre. The Organo-Chemical families many of these compounds belong to include compounds that are considered hazardous and not suitable for food contact. The possibility of side chemical reactions between both the impurities and the debris from the degradation, resulting in compounds that could present significant hazards is real. Are tyres dangerous? yes! when attached to cars driven by idiots and when used as receptacles to grow food; otherwise no!

- Geoff Brooks

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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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