Growing Potato

Solanum tuberosum : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                P P P  

(Best months for growing Potato in South Africa - Summer rainfall 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 Aug 16, Avril (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I got mine from Livingseeds online store
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16 Aug 16, Phillip (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
best way of growing potatoes in region and what cultivar to use - Mpumalanga lowveld area
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19 Aug 16, moira (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Where can I find. Potato tubers or seedlings in the western cape please.
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20 Aug 16, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Yes it encourages the plant to channel its energy on growing the tubers instead of the flower . Regards
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20 Aug 16, thulani s Nene (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I'm at Hlabisa KZN South Africa i need to know in which month can i grow potatoes
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29 Aug 16, fourie (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
when to plant potatos in south namibia
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20 Oct 16, mpumelelo (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi i like to know if it good plant potatos in kzn without eny fetilizer
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22 Nov 16, Johan Hugo (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Where can I buy seed potatos in Johannesburg?
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11 Dec 16, feel (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
can you plant potatoes in late summer? and what makes the potatoes get the {soft rot}?
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02 Feb 17, Edwin Matebesi (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Hi, When exactly can I plant Potatoes?, Is it posible that I can still plant them in this Period?, I live in Northern cape province-Sub sahara desert. Thanks, Regards
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Showing 41 - 50 of 105 comments
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I live in Zone 10A and have been growing russet and golden potatoes in grow bags and large containers here for about three years, and I notice I can plant them year-round and they will grow, just slower in winter, and if we get an occasional frost, it may kill the top, and when temps hit around 100 or hotter the potato tops may die off also. No matter what time of year, my potatoes often grow for a few months and then the tops start to die off no matter the season or conditions, but I don't know why, so when that happens, I'll reduce the watering for a couple weeks and then harvest. I try to do "succession" planting, so I always have some potatoes growing, and am still experimenting with what works best, especially trying to learn more about correct watering for the Zone 10A conditions. I do have better success, producing more and larger potatoes, with 10-20 gallon and larger containers than the 7-gallon fabric grow bags.

- 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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