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 - sub-tropical 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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07 Jul 12, D JAMES (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have two seperate beds with sebagos one I planted them deep and hilled lightly they now have big stems and sit high.The other bed Iplanted shallow and hilled up lots its stems are spindly and falling over but still seems healthy is there a reason as they are both getting the same sun and water.
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08 Jun 12, mehmet kolgu (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi I met and loved Salad potatoes at UK. But couldn't see any at Sydney I love to grow them,can you help me please regards mehmet
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11 Jun 12, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Kipfler potatoes are a waxy variety good for salads.
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30 May 12, simon (Australia - tropical climate)
really want to grow some potatoes other than sweet potato, yam, taro etc etc in the tropics, surly there is one type of potato that could handle the dry season up this way?? any advise is really appreciated.
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06 May 12, PAUL CLARK (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have just got 2 kgs of seed pots for the garden. i have a built up garden 9 sq mtrs with plenty of drainage and around 12-15 inches of fresh soil. I have read that i need to let my seed pots grow shoots first so have placed them in egg boxes in my garage.......i live on the sunshine coast qld....when is the best time to plant them in the soil and when will they roughly be ready? thanks for any advice! PAUL
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12 Jul 12, Mark (Australia - temperate climate)
12 July - We have had ours in the ground for about 5 weeks now so if you don't have them in yet do it this w/end. You should be able to harvest in spring before it gets too hot, but you can dig them up anytime you want... they just may be on the small side or "new" potato's, still good... the rain we are having at the present time here on the Sunshine (or Unshine) Coast is good for the crop if nothing else.
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17 Apr 12, Shangjie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Is it all right if I use shop potatoes when they are sprouting?
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08 Jul 12, Alban (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I planted shop potatoes that were sprouting and they grew very nicely. Only I planted them very late so they were small when harvesting. I think the main problem with shop potatoes is the danger of diseases, which is why experts recommend certified seed potatoes.
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13 Apr 12, ROBYN (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi We live in Ballarat and I am interested in growing no dig potatoes. I was wondering if we could use old seed bags off the farm and would we need to pierce them to increase the drainage? Also we love bbq potatoes so could you suggest suitable variety. Thanks so much Robyn
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14 Apr 12, Michael Ouellette (Australia - arid climate)
Dutch cream I find are the best potatoes to grow..
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Showing 401 - 410 of 563 comments
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Are you looking for SWEET potatoes or regular potatoes ..... I think your climate is better suited for Sweet potatoes -- they are different (different families) and therefore have different instructions: The ideal soil temperature range for planting potatoes is 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (7 to 10 degrees Celsius). After planting, the ideal temperature for growing potatoes is 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 21 degrees Celsius). Potatoes do best in fertile, well-drained soils. However, potatoes will grow in many types of soils. Soils that are poorly drained tend to produce poorly shaped potatoes and tuber rot. Potatoes do well across a wide range of pH, but prefer slightly acidic soils; a soil pH of 5.3 to 6.0 is typical for potato production. If your soil is more acidic than this, mixing in wood ash will help raise the pH and make your soil more alkaline. Sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are close cousins of morning glory and only distantly related to traditional potatoes. They are tender, so must be protected from frost, and like heat, full sun and regular watering. They crop best at temperatures of 21–26°C (70–80°F) PLEASE CLARIFY which type of potato.

- Faith Celeste Archer

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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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