Lexi Webster
Potatoes are a versatile crop that can be grown in various climates across Australia. They are susceptible to frost and extreme heat, so the best time to plant them depends on your location. In temperate zones, potatoes are typically planted in early spring or late winter and grown during spring and summer. In warmer areas, such as Queensland and Northern NSW, potatoes can be grown all year round, but it is best to avoid the heat of summer. In subtropical and tropical zones, potatoes are best grown in the dry season. In cold areas, it is recommended to wait until spring to plant potatoes, especially if there is a risk of late frosts. The harvesting time can vary from 12 to 20 weeks, depending on the variety of potato and the growing conditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best time to plant | Late winter to early spring |
| Harvest time | 3-5 months after planting |
| Soil type | Well-drained, rich soil |
| Sunlight | At least 6 hours of sunlight daily |
| Watering | Regularly, but avoid overwatering |
| Fertilizer | Well-rotted animal manure or compost |
| Seed type | "Seed" potatoes or "tubers" |
| Seed preparation | Expose to light for about a week before planting |
| Pests and diseases | Late blight, potato scab, caterpillars |
| Container | At least 40-50 cm deep with drainage holes |
| Harvesting | Dig with a fork, air dry, and store in a cool, dark location |
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What You'll Learn
Planting times in different climates
Potatoes can be grown in all areas of Australia, but the planting and harvesting times vary depending on the climate. In general, potatoes are susceptible to frost damage and do not like extremely hot temperatures either. They are considered a warm-season crop and prefer slightly acidic soils, with a pH of 5.3 to 6.0.
In temperate regions, potatoes are typically planted in late winter and spring, growing through spring and summer. In these regions, the soil temperature should be between 10°C and 30°C. Harvesting can begin a few weeks after flowering when the lower leaves turn yellow, and the potatoes are approximately the size of a chicken egg. The remaining potatoes can be left to grow and harvested when the stalks and foliage have died off.
In warmer climates, potatoes can be planted in autumn and will grow year-round. In these areas, it is essential to protect the potatoes from excessive heat and sun exposure.
In cold climates, potatoes should be planted a few weeks before the last expected frost. They may take longer to grow and mature in these regions, and gardeners should choose varieties that will mature within the shorter growing season.
In high-humidity regions with most rainfall in summer, such as northern Australia, potatoes can be grown during the summer months. However, they require well-drained soil and protection from excessive moisture.
Overall, the planting and harvesting times for potatoes in Australia vary depending on the specific climate and region. Gardeners should consider their local conditions, including temperature, humidity, and rainfall, when planning their potato crop.
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Preparing the soil
Potatoes can be grown in most Australian soils, but they prefer a well-drained, fertile soil that is slightly acidic, with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. The soil should be
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Planting the potatoes
Potatoes are susceptible to frost damage and extreme heat, so it is important to choose the right time to plant them. In Australia, potatoes are usually planted in late winter or early spring, when the weather is warm and there is little risk of frost. In warmer parts of Australia, potatoes can be grown all year round, but the preference for planting is from early autumn to early spring.
Before planting, it is important to prepare the soil. Potatoes should be grown in a sunny spot that receives at least six hours of sunshine per day. The soil should be rich, moist, and well-drained to prevent the tubers from rotting. It should also be blended well with organic matter such as well-rotted compost, manure, or cow dung. The soil should be crumbly and not lumpy, so use a rake to remove any lumps and create a furrow to place the tubers in.
When you are ready to plant, place the tubers in the furrow, spacing them about 12" apart. Certified seed potatoes are best if you can find them, as this ensures they are disease-free. Seed potatoes about the size of chicken eggs can be planted as they are, while larger ones should be cut into large chunks that contain at least one "eye" (the spot on the potato where a shoot will develop). Before planting, expose the seed potatoes to light for about a week to toughen them up and give the eyes an opportunity to shoot.
Once the tubers are in the ground, fill the furrow with soil and rake over the surface without firming it down. The sprouts should grow through the soil in about 3-4 weeks. Keep weeds out of the bed so that only the potatoes receive water and nutrients. As the plants grow, fill the soil around them to support them and protect the tubers from caterpillars. Water the plants regularly so that smooth and well-developed tubers will form.
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Caring for the plants
Potatoes are susceptible to frost damage and extreme heat, so they should be grown in spring or, in warmer parts of Australia, from early autumn to early spring. They require a full sun position, receiving at least six hours of sunshine a day, and well-drained soil to prevent soggy spuds. Before planting, dig your garden bed to spade depth and mix in mulch, blood and bone, and blend well into the soil. The soil should be crumbly, not lumpy.
Certified seed potatoes are best as they are disease-free. Before planting, expose the seed potatoes to light for about a week. This will toughen them up and give the eyes an opportunity to shoot. Place the tubers in a furrow, spacing them about 12" apart. Fill in the furrow with soil and rake over the surface, but don’t firm the soil down. The sprouts should grow through the soil in about 3-4 weeks. As the plants grow, fill the soil around them to support them, protect the tubers from caterpillars, and prevent any tubers that form close to the surface from turning green. The furrow formed between the rows makes an excellent channel for watering.
Water the plants regularly so that smooth and well-developed tubers will form. Potatoes need 1 to 2 inches of water a week. Too much water right after planting and not enough as the potatoes begin to form can cause them to become misshapen. Stop watering when the foliage begins to turn yellow. If you’re growing potatoes in containers, take extra care to keep your plants well-watered, especially in warmer weather. As the potato plants grow above the soil surface, you’ll need to periodically “hill up” or mound up soil and compost around the plant so that only the top leaves stick out of the ground.
Keep weeds out of the bed so that only the potatoes are receiving the water and soil nutrients. Practicing crop rotation is also important to avoid pests and diseases. Try not to grow anything from the Potato family (Solanaceae) in the same garden bed for at least three to four years. Checking the soil pH and avoiding alkaline soils will prevent potato scab, and a bit of seaweed tea at planting and flowering time will do wonders.
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Harvesting the potatoes
The harvesting time for potatoes varies depending on the variety of potato and the climate, but it typically falls anywhere between 12 to 20 weeks, or three to five months, after planting. Early-season potatoes, for example, mature in 60 to 80 days and are ready to harvest by early summer. Mid-season potatoes mature in 80 to 100 days and are typically harvested in the second half of summer. Late-season crops mature in 100 to 130 days and are harvested in the fall.
There are several indicators that potatoes are ready to be harvested. One sign is when the plants start to flower. Another is when the foliage begins to yellow and die back. If the lower leaves start to yellow, this indicates that new potatoes are ready to harvest. If the top foliage has died off, this means that late-season potatoes are ready.
Before harvesting, you can check the size of the potatoes by gently feeling under the soil with your hands. If they are still small, they can be left to grow for a few more weeks.
When harvesting, cut off the foliage with shears, then dig up the potatoes with a fork, being careful not to spike them. After digging up the potatoes, spread them out to dry for a couple of hours, but not in direct sunlight.
Late-season potatoes can be stored in a cool, dark place. They will last for 2 to 3 months in the right conditions. Early-season potatoes, on the other hand, have thinner skins and can only be stored for about 3 weeks.
To prevent disease, it is important to practice crop rotation and not plant potatoes in the same spot each year. Potato blight, for example, is a fungal disease that can overwinter in tubers left in the ground after harvest.
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Frequently asked questions
Potatoes are commonly planted in late winter and spring and grow during spring and summer. In warmer areas, potatoes can be grown all year round, but the preference for planting is early autumn to early spring.
Prepare the soil by digging in plenty of well-rotted animal manure or compost. Avoid using fresh manure as it will burn plants. Dig a trench for the seed potatoes about 30-40 cm wide and 10-20 cm deep. Place the seed potatoes 20-30 cm apart in the trench, shoot-side up. Fill in the trench to cover the potatoes. As potato shoots start to appear, cover them with soil.
Potatoes can be harvested between 90-120 days from planting. In warm climates, harvest potatoes between June and August, and in cool climates, harvest between December and February. Once the stems and leaves of the potato plants begin to turn yellow, your crop will be ready to harvest.
