Family: Solanaceae
Binomial name: Solanum tuberosum
Life Cycle: Perennial (usually grown as an annual)
Potato varieties are classified as either indeterminate or determinate. Indeterminate potatoes produce tubers along their stems; stems should be covered as the plants grow to allow more tubers to be produced. Determinate potatoes produce tubers in a single layer underground; there's no need to cover their stems as they grow.
Potato is a warm season crop. Use the table below to identify the best time of year to plant seed potatoes in your climate.
JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cool | ||||||||||||
Temperate | ||||||||||||
Sub-Tropical | ||||||||||||
Tropical | ||||||||||||
Arid |
Potato plants are best grown in full sun. Choose a location that will receive at least 6 hours of full sun each day.
Potato plants need a loose, well drained soil enriched with organic matter. Prepare soil by weeding it thoroughly, digging it over to at least a spade’s depth to loosen the soil, and adding aged animal manure or compost. Organic matter can be dug into heavy soil to lighten it so roots can grow freely. Keep the area free of weeds until planting.
Potato plants are very susceptible to pests and diseases. Practice crop rotation to reduce the chance of pests and diseases becoming pervasive in your garden. Do not plant potatoes in the same position two years in a row. Read more about crop rotation here. Only plant certified seed potatoes; these potatoes have been tested to make sure they're free of disease.
Potato plants can be grown in containers or grow bags. Use a good quality potting mix and make sure your container is large enough for mature plants; a minimum of 40 litres is recommended for potatoes. During the growing season, keep in mind that container grown plants may need additional fertiliser to encourage healthy growth. Learn how to grow potatoes in containers and grow bags here.
Optional: Potatoes can be sprouted before they are planted by placing them in a single layer in a cool place for a few weeks. When sprouts are 2-3cm long, remove all but 2 or 3 strong shoots and plant the potatoes in the garden or a grow bag. This process is known as 'chitting'. Chitting can give potatoes a head start to the growing season, meaning they will mature earlier.
Potato plants may need watering during the growing season. Water when the soil is dry about 5cm below the surface (test this by scratching away a little soil with your finger). Water deeply in the early morning or late afternoon. Avoid watering the leaves of plants to avoid fungal diseases. Learn more about watering here.
If soil was well prepared no extra fertiliser should be necessary. In poor soil or to give your plants an extra boost, application of a balanced fertiliser or one formulated for fruit and vegetables can be beneficial:
When the shoots are 15cm high, add more soil around the stems, leaving the top leaves exposed. As plants grow, continue to add soil or mulch around stems, unrolling the bag as you go, until the mounds are 30-40cm above the original soil level or the grow bag or container is nearly full.
Determinate varieties only: There is no need to mound the soil around the stems; when shoots are 15cm high apply a 10cm layer of organic mulch.
Potato is a frost sensitive crop. Do not plant until around 4 weeks before the last expected frost date for your region.
Potatoes should be ready to harvest in approximately 80-120 days.
Potatoes are ready to harvest when the plants flower and the leaves start to yellow. Use a garden fork to gently lift the tubers from the bed, shaking off any excess soil. Alternatively, you can ‘bandicoot’ the tubers gradually by digging carefully to unearth just a few tubers at a time. Potatoes can be eaten immediately or stored for future use. Store in a dark, cool well ventilated space, checking regularly for rot or sprouting.
Do not eat tubers that have green skin or shoots as they may be poisonous.
Like all plants, potato is susceptible to some pests, diseases and other problems. Below is a list of the most common problems gardeners encounter when growing potato plants:
Available winter and early spring.