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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30 Mar 22, Lee Patterson (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I live in Taree, Mid North Coast, NSW. I have Potato Bags ready for planting and would like to know when is the right time for me to plant. Also, when do potato seedlings go on sale. Thank you.
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31 Mar 22, Gary Hall (Australia - arid climate)
Hi Lee I'm from Wauchope and the Potato season is August, September and october you can get seed potato from Bunnings in the Gardening section in Taree if not try one of the rural centre's in Taree hope this helps.
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01 Apr 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
sub tropical Bundy they grow an Autumn crop and plant late April May.
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31 Mar 22, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Ring your local produce agency and ask if they have seed potatoes. Or buy seed potatoes on line. Plant from mid April onwards.
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11 Feb 22, grace (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I live in a temperate Zone, according to your table, and was wondering if I can grow potatoes ALL year round, as I rarely get frosts. ?? I have heard you can grow them all year round but would like some confirmation. thanks
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08 Mar 22, John Mauger (Australia - temperate climate)
Frost is the bane of potatoes. Give it a go by planting some seed potatoes or small pieces every few weeks. I have had potatoes growing amongst shrubs even in winter. Find the warmest, or most sheltered spot with the most sun for cool season planting. All the best.
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31 Oct 21, Kevin Weaver (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I live on the mid north coast of Nsw . I planted potatoes in my vegetable garden at the beginning of October, not realizing they are best grown in cooler months, the are currently looking and growing really well i have just mounded them for the first time. Is there any chance they will grow to harvest, or am i wasting my time. Thanks kev
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01 Nov 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
In sub tropical you can grow an Autumn and a Spring crop. The guide above says plant Aug to Oct. They also plant about May in Bundy - sub tropical.
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27 Sep 21, Renato (Australia - tropical climate)
Can you plant potatoes in the tropics with 30°C temperature and get a good harvest?
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28 Sep 21, Anon (Australia - tropical climate)
It says plant April May - the reason, your are growing into the coolest time of the year and less likely to have massive rainfall then. Also pit them in a raised bed if your ground can be wet a lot. Free draining soil.
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Showing 31 - 40 of 561 comments
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I live in Southern California Zone 10A and grow potatoes year-round in bags and containers, anywhere from 5 to 15 gallons size. I have found what works well for me is to put about 4-6 inches of good soil in the container, lay a few seed potatoes on top so the slips are pointed up, about 12 inches apart, then cover them with about 4-6 inches of soil, and water moderately or they will rot. These potatoes will only produce new tubers in the soil about 6-12 inches above the original seed potatoes, so when the plants are about a foot above the soil, if I have any new add seed potatoes and the container has enough room, when I add more soil I may consider adding a few more seed potatoes that will produce "baby potatoes" above the older tubers, then cover them with another 6 inches of soil that will also bury more of the new growth of the first seed potatoes. Doing this stimulates more growth, and I may even add even more soil as the plants get taller depending on the depth of the container. I don't always add the second layer of seed potatoes, but doing this produces a few larger potatoes below (Baked Potatoes!) and a lot of smaller potatoes above them, and they are all excellent eating. I am growing Russet, Golden, and Red potatoes in containers, but I think they are all determinant varieties since they are all started from potatoes purchased in grocery stores, and each plant only produces tubers in the area near the seed potato, but do not continue to produce tubers as the plants get taller no matter how much more soil is added. I am still learning as I go, such as "location, location, location!" is making a noticeable difference on how successful my efforts are, and I would like to find an indeterminant variety potato that will grow well in Zone 10A.

- dz

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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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