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 50°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 12 - 16 inches 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
12 May 16, janine (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Ive used Tyres and you don't need to line them and we and the potatoes are very safe to eat my grandfather has been using tyres for ever and they don't leach any metals>
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Mar 16, Julia (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Can I get Dutch cream potatoes in NZ? I want to plant them.
Reply or Post a new comment
14 Mar 16, (Australia - temperate climate)
I have 1 long green cattle water trough with a plug for drainage. Have filled it with a mix of soul, compost and chicken manure. I will try and grow on row in that and see how we go. It is hot and humid here so will have to see how it goes. Also have a half small rainwater tank with a good mix of compost and soil and will also try to grow some in that. Fingers crossed.
Reply or Post a new comment
05 Mar 16, Alan (Australia - temperate climate)
We grow two crops a year, one through spring & the other through autumn storing them in the garage in a black 50lt container & lid we bought from Bunnings. Don't ever wash them before storage & always keep the lid on so they remain in the dark.
Reply or Post a new comment
02 Aug 16, Sam (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks, that is helpful. I will try this
Reply or Post a new comment
03 Mar 16, EMMANUEL (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
what is the best way of storing potatoes
Reply or Post a new comment
01 Mar 16, MOAGI EMMANUEL (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hello, I want to ask what kind of potato seed can grow well in Limpopo area, it is summer rainfall and sometimes temperature rises up to 30 degress
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Mar 16, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I personally love Savannah cultivar. Mondial is also good.
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Feb 16, Carol (Australia - temperate climate)
I grew my potatoes in bags and pots and 90% died because of heat, humidity and triple rainfall than usual. Next I am trying beds and the no dig method. I'm getting seed potatoes in March and seeing how I go. I'm sticking to sweet potatoes in the hotter months.
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Feb 16, John (United Kingdom - cool/temperate climate)
We dhave bought our seed potatoes and will chitting them before planting out in March, Not sure how this equates to the growing season where you are. https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/vegetables/potatoes?type=v
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 461 - 470 of 833 comments
See comments for all plants

I live in Zone 7b in Arkansas. It's been an unusually cool and wet spring / summer. I planted four varieties in a prepared bed. (composted manure was tilled in.) The varieties were Pontiac red, Kenebek, Russet and Yukon Gold in roughly equal amounts, purchased prepackaged at a farm store. The seed potatoes were sown in rows 12 -18 inch spacing on Feb 28 by burying shallow, then covering with several inches of composted manure followed by several inches of straw, two bales on roughly 120 sq feet. I did not document when they sprouted but it seemed weak initially but success rate of sprouts was eventually good. The composted manure is weedy and so was the straw, eventually weed pressure was high so I covered with another layer of composted manure. ( I don't remember the date and the plants were 20 inches or so tall, some in blossom. ) Although at the time of harvest the bed was heavy with weeds again that worked long enough to bring in a harvest on June 4th. While harvesting the soil was still quite moist, only two or three potatoes had rotted and the yield was about 2 to 3 nice sized potatoes per plant with up to three small potatoes per plant too. I followed the harvest with a sweet corn. I contemplated a second potato planting but i think it will be too hot. I'm going to make a deep raised bed from pallets manure and straw out in a shady part of my homestead and try a few to see what happens. Hopefully that helps.

- Ross

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.