Potato
Solanum tuberosum
Family: Solanaceae · Genus: Solanum
The potato is a starchy root tuber in the nightshade family, one of the world's most important food crops. Grown from seed potatoes (tubers), it produces edible tubers underground. Native to the Andes region of South America.
Soil Temperature
10°C – 30°C
Spacing
30 – 40 cm
Harvest
15–20 weeks
Sowing
Plant tuber. Plant seed potatoes 20-30cm apart, shoot-side up.
Growing Schedule Zone 8b
Companions
Avoid Growing Near
Growing Notes
Seed potatoes are small potatoes which are free of viruses and other diseases. Before planting expose seed potatoes to light to start shoots growing. Let the potatoes grow shoots up to 1 cm long - this can take a few weeks. Large seed tubers can be cut into pieces - just make sure each piece has at least one 'eye' or shoot. Let the cut pieces dry for a few days before planting. Prepare the soil by digging in plenty of well-rotted animal manure or compost. Keep potatoes well-watered. Potatoes exposed to light will go green, so keep them covered up with straw and soil as they grow.
Culinary Hints
Peeled or unpeeled and scrubbed, potatoes can be boiled, baked, fried and roasted. Keep in a pot of cold water after peeling, otherwise they will discolour.