How to grow Potato in Australia
Grow in full sun in loose, slightly acidic soil that drains well. Plant seed pieces and hill soil up the stems as they grow to keep developing tubers covered and away from light.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 8 litres a week, watered every 2 days
- Spacing: 30 cm
- Time to harvest: 90 days
- Time to germinate: 14 days
- Soil pH: 5 to 6.5
- Frost tolerance: Half hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | March to August | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | March to August | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | March to May, August | Spring (Apr to May) and autumn (Aug) crops; avoid frost and summer heat. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | August to November | Plant certified seed potatoes Aug to Nov (spring). Autumn planting fails in Melbourne: winter frost kills the tops. Protect shoots that emerge before the last frost. |
| Adelaide & SA | August to November | Plant certified seed potatoes Aug to Nov; watch late frosts in Aug, especially in the Hills. Autumn planting risks frosted tops in winter. |
| Perth & WA | March to May, August and September | Two windows: autumn Mar to May on the frost light plain and coast, late winter to spring Aug to Sep everywhere. Frosty Swan Valley floor and Hills plant spring only. Certified WA seed. |
| Tasmania | September to December | Plant certified seed potatoes Sep to Dec. Pink Eye can go in from late Aug near the coast. Hill against late frost. Prime potato country. |
| Canberra & ACT | September to January | Plant Sep to Dec after soil warms; hill well as late frosts burn early shoots. Jan planting gives a quick autumn crop. Never plant into frozen winter soil. |
| North Queensland | May to August | Dry season May to Aug. Potato needs cool temps; plant in dry season only. |
| Darwin & Top End | May to August | Dry season May to Aug. Potato needs cool temps; plant in dry season only. |
Companion planting
Good companions
Avoid planting near
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
New potatoes are ready once the plant flowers; main crop once the tops yellow and die back. Loosen the soil with a fork and lift the tubers, working out from the stem.
Storage
Cool dark dry place, up to 2 months. Do not refrigerate. Keep away from light.