Potatoes often get a bad rap because of their starchy nature.
Despite this, the humble tater holds its own regarding nutritional value: It’s a good source of vitamins C, B6, and potassium, and it can be used in an array of potato recipes all year round.
Like anything, eating them as part of a balanced diet with other vegetables is key. The best part is that you can grow your own.
Fast facts about growing potatoes
- Name: Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum)
- Height: Potato plants typically reach around 1 metre in height and spread, but this can vary depending on the variety. There are many smaller forms available, especially for compact or container gardening.
- Climate: Potatoes are suitable for all climate zones.
- Soil: Potatoes prefer well-drained soil but can adapt to various soil types, excluding wet clay.
- Position: Plant potatoes in full sun for optimal growth and yield. However, they can tolerate light shade if necessary.
- Feeding: Provide potatoes with occasional feeding using a complete fertiliser to ensure they receive essential nutrients for growth and tuber development.
- Watering: Young potato plants require consistent watering to establish their root systems.
Types of potatoes
Australia cultivates various types of potatoes, each with its unique characteristics, flavours, and uses. Here are some common types of potatoes grown in Australia:
- Desiree: Desiree potatoes are a versatile variety known for their smooth, red skin and creamy-yellow flesh.
- Pontiac: Pontiac potatoes have red skin and white flesh.
- Sebago: Sebago potatoes are widely grown in Australia and are favoured for their all-purpose use.
- Coliban: Coliban potatoes have pale-brown skin and creamy-white flesh.
- Kipfler: Kipfler potatoes have elongated, finger-like shapes with yellow skin and buttery-yellow flesh. Due to their waxy texture and nutty flavour, they are often used for roasting, boiling, and making salads.
- Royal Blue: Royal Blue potatoes have dark purple-blue skin and a floury texture.
- King Edward: King Edward potatoes have white skin, pinkish blushes, and creamy-white flesh.
- Toolangi Delight: Toolangi Delight potatoes have pink skin and creamy-yellow flesh.
How long does it take to grow potatoes?
Potatoes can be grown throughout the year, depending on the region and weather. As long as there isn’t any frost, seed potatoes (a whole little potato ready to shoot) can be planted. Spuds need to be frost-free for 60-90 days to be successfully harvested.
When purchasing your seed potatoes, make sure they are certified disease-free.
Planting potatoes
1. Prepare seed potatoes
Obtain certified disease-free seed potatoes from a reputable source. If the seed potatoes are large, you can cut them into smaller pieces, each containing at least one or two eyes (buds).
2. Select a planting site
Choose a sunny location in your garden with well-draining soil. Potatoes require at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.
3. Prepare the soil
Work the soil to loosen it to a depth of about 15-20 centimetres (6-8 inches). Remove any weeds, rocks, or debris from the planting area.
Incorporate organic matter, such as compost or aged manure, into the soil to improve its structure and fertility.
4. Plant the potatoes
Dig furrows or trenches in the prepared soil, about 60-90 centimetres (2-3 feet) apart.
Place the seed potatoes or pieces into the furrows, spacing them about 25-30 centimetres (10-12 inches) apart.
Plant the seed potatoes with the eyes facing upward and cover them with about 7.5-10 centimetres (3-4 inches) of soil.
5. Hilling your potatoes
As the potato plants grow, gradually mound soil or mulch around the stems to cover the tubers. This process is known as hilling and helps protect the developing tubers from sunlight and pests.
6. Watering
Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged (potatoes can rot) throughout the growing season. Water deeply whenever the top 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) of soil feels dry.
7. Fertilising
When the potato plants reach about 15-20 centimetres (6-8 inches) in height, apply a high compost-rich soil that drains well.
8. Mulching (Optional)
To conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and maintain even soil temperature, apply a layer of organic mulch, such as straw or shredded leaves, around the potato plants.
9. Monitor for pests and diseases
Watch for common potato pests, such as aphids and whiteflies.
How to get rid of aphids and whiteflies on potatoes
Controlling aphids and whiteflies on potatoes in Australia involves a combination of preventive measures and targeted treatments if necessary. Here’s a guide on how to manage these pests effectively:
- Physical removal: Check your potato plants regularly for signs of aphids and whiteflies. If you spot them, physically remove them from the plants by hand-picking or using a strong stream of water to dislodge them.
- Pruning and disposal: Remove heavily infested leaves or stems from the potato plants and dispose of them away from your garden to prevent the spread of pests to healthy plants.
- Companion planting: Plant companion plants that repel aphids, such as marigolds, nasturtiums, or alliums (e.g., onions and garlic) near your potato plants.
- Attract beneficial insects: Attract natural predators such as ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps in your garden.
- Use reflective mulch: Reflective mulch, such as aluminium foil or silver plastic, can deter aphids and whiteflies by confusing and disorienting them.
- Neem oil spray: Neem oil is a natural insecticide that can effectively control aphids and whiteflies. Mix neem oil with water according to the manufacturer’s instructions and spray it directly onto the affected potato plants. Repeat every 7-10 days or as needed.
- Insecticidal soap: Insecticidal soaps are another option for controlling aphids and whiteflies on potatoes. Try making your own, too. Here’s how to make a natural pesticide.
When to harvest potatoes
Bandicooting potatoes is a technique for harvesting new potatoes while allowing the plants to continue growing and producing more tubers. Instead of digging up the entire plant, you can carefully remove a few potatoes from the soil near the base of the plant while leaving the rest of the plant and the remaining tubers undisturbed. However, the skin will not have formed properly yet, so they’ll need to be eaten that day.
The leaves can be used as a guide for the rest of the potatoes. Once they have died down, the potatoes are ready for storage. Carefully dig around for the potatoes using a fork and a small spade.
Next, place them on a cardboard or newspaper and let them dry out from the elements.
Brush off the extra dirt, store it in a box or hessian sack, and store it in a cool, dry place.
How to grow potatoes in a container
If you live in an apartment with a balcony, potatoes can be grown in a container, pot, wheelbarrow, etc. Find one at least 40 – 50 cm deep with holes in the bottom for drainage. Fill with 10 – 20cm of mixed compost and potting mix.
Place your seeds about 30 cm apart and cover with 10-20 cm of compost mixed with straw or grass clippings; keep watered and away from direct sunlight. Light causes potatoes to go green. Don’t eat these: they are poisonous.
Like potatoes grown in the ground, when the leaves are 7mm high, cover with soil until you reach the top of the container. Once the leaves die down, your potatoes are ready for harvesting.
Alternatively, potatoes can be grown in a bag.
When to plant potatoes in Australia?
The best time to plant potatoes in Australia varies depending on the region and climate. Potatoes are typically planted during the cooler months to avoid heat stress on the plants.
In southern regions of Australia, such as Victoria and Tasmania, and parts of New South Wales and South Australia, the best time to plant potatoes is in early spring, around September to October. This allows the potatoes to grow during the cooler months and avoid the summer heat.
In more tropical and subtropical regions, such as Queensland and northern parts of Western Australia and New South Wales, potatoes can be planted in late autumn to early winter, around April to May. This timing takes advantage of the milder temperatures during the dry season.
Do potatoes grow better in sun or shade?
Potatoes generally grow best in full sun. Ideally, they should receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
While potatoes can tolerate some shade, particularly in hotter climates where partial shade can help protect them from intense sun and heat, too much shade can result in weak plants. Additionally, inadequate sunlight may lead to poor tuber development or smaller potatoes.
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