There’s something deeply satisfying about digging up your homegrown potatoes – it’s like finding buried treasure in the veggie patch. Our New Zealand climate is perfect for growing these humble heroes of the dinner table. Whether you’re working with a raised garden bed or a few containers on the deck, potatoes are one of the easiest and most rewarding crops to grow. With the right prep, a few helpful companions and a bit of patience, you’ll be harvesting a bounty of spuds in no time.
When to plant: From July until February (after last frost)
Position: Full sun
Soil type: Free-draining soil, rich in organic matter
Water: Potatoes don’t like wet feet, but keep soil damp
Harvest: Dependent on variety, between 3 – 5 months after planting
How to grow potatoes – at a glance:
What you need to grow potatoes:
Seed Potatoes (not just any spud will do)
Start with certified seed potatoes, available from your local garden centre from early spring. Avoid supermarket potatoes as these are often treated to prevent sprouting. Select a variety you love to eat – agria, desired, nadine – to be sure your harvest won’t go to waste.
A sunny spot and free-draining soil
Potatoes love the sun. Pick a site in your garden that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. The soil should be well-draining and rich in organic matter. If you’re dealing with heavy clay or poor soil, consider building a raised garden bed or planting in grow bags or large containers.
Before you plant, consider chitting your potatoes
Before planting, it’s a good idea to chit your seed potatoes. This means encouraging sprout shoots, which can lead to earlier, more productive crops. To chit, place your seed potatoes in a single layer in an egg carton or tray, with the ‘eyes’ (small dimples) facing upwards. Leave these in a cool, bright spot out of direct sunlight for two to four weeks. Once the shoots are around 2-3cm long and stubby, they’re ready to go into the ground. If you skip this step, your potatoes will still grow, but chitting gives them a strong, confident start.
Prepare your soil and plant
When it’s time to plant your potatoes, make sure your soil is loose, free-draining and rich in organic matter. Potatoes don’t like wet feet, so if your garden tends to hold water, mix in plenty of compost and a bit of sand to improve drainage. A slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5 to 6.5) is ideal.
Dig a trench about 10-15cm deep and place each seed potato with the shoots facing up, spacing them roughly 30cm apart in rows. Cover lightly with soil and water. As the plants grow, continue moulding the soil around the base to protect developing tubers and encourage more to form. If you’re short on space, you can plant in grow bags or deep containers using the same method. Just keep topping the plants with potting mix as they grow taller.
Companion Planting: Good neighbours for great crops
Like most plants, potatoes grow well with some vegetables but not others. Good companions include beans, which fix nitrogen into the soil, and brassicas like cabbage, broccoli and kale, which share similar growing needs. Be aware of planting potatoes too close to plants that will create shade, such as corn and tomatoes. Lettuce and spinach are also useful companion plants, as they are shallow-rooted, meaning they won’t impose on limited space. Strong-smelling plants such as chives, garlic, and onions are also useful to help repel pests.
Harvest time: When and how to dig up your spuds
Harvesting potatoes is one of the most rewarding parts of the process. Once the foliage begins to flower, your potatoes should be ready for harvest. For early varieties (rocket, swift, Charlotte), you can start digging them up after about 10-12 weeks after planting. Gently rummage around the base of your garden bed, grow bag or container with your hands to lift a few and check their size. For main crop potatoes (desired, red, fingerling), wait until the foliage has turned yellow and died back completely, around 4 – 5 months after planting.
Use a garden fork to lift the potatoes from the soil, being careful not to stab or bruise the tubers as you dig. Once harvested, leave your potatoes to dry in a cool, airy spot out of direct sunlight for a day or so, then store them in a paper bag in a dark place (your pantry should do) until you’re ready to cook them up.
More gardening guides:
- How to grow garlic
- How to grow a mandarin tree
- How to grow hydrangeas
- How to grow raspberries
- How to grow lavender
- How to grow passionfruit
- How to grow feijoas
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