Last Updated: December 7, 2023 Potatoes need a cool climate to grow, so Melbourne is the perfect place to plant them. You can grow potatoes as a winter or summer crop—you just need to choose the right variety and give them plenty of sun, water and good soil. RELATED: Melbourne Fruit and Vegetable Growing Guide When to plant potatoes in Melbourne The ideal time to grow potatoes in Melbourne is often from late August to early September.
A mother shows her child how to plant potatoes in Melbourne, Australia Stock Photo Alamy
In Melbourne, the ideal time to plant potatoes is usually from late August to early September. By planting during this time, you can take advantage of the cooler temperatures and give your potatoes a good start before the warmer weather arrives. You can also plant seed potatoes in February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November, and December. Silverbeet Silverbeet is another vegetable that can be grown for most of the year including in winter. It can be planted from seed directly into the ground because the seeds germinate fairly readily. July and August are the perfect months to plant potatoes in our Melbourne climate. Potatoes thrive in very rich, well-drained soil, in full sun. In these conditions, potatoes are easy and satisfying to grow. Plant: Plant 10cm deep, 40cm apart in 1m rows. Bank up soil above tuber. Harvest: 120 days. 30 days after flowering. Potatoes are one of the oldest food crops known to man and were cultivated by American Indians in seasons and areas that were too cold for maize.
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In Melbourne, this is generally from August to September. Potatoes can be left to sprout before planting by leaving them in a well lit, cool, dry place. Preparation and Planting Seed potatoes can be planted from late winter to mid-spring. The soil needs to be well draining and not have had potatoes growing in that same position for a few seasons. Plant seed potatoes into dug trenches or individual planting holes. Plant your tubers around 15cm deep, and space them 30cm apart along the row. Additional rows of early varieties should be spaced at least 45cm apart, while maincrops need a minimum of 75cm left between rows. What to plant in Summer: December to February Ornamental plants Herbs and vegetables Perennial fruits What to plant in Autumn: March to May Bulbs and perennials Cool-season vegetables Deciduous fruits What to plant in Winter: June to August Winter-flowering plants Leafy Greens Bare-rooted fruits Conclusion Seasonal overview of Melbourne In Victoria, the best time to plant potatoes is typically in early spring, around mid to late September. This timing allows the potatoes to establish and grow before the hot summer months, which can be detrimental to their growth. Before planting, it's important to prepare the soil properly.
Potato Growing Detailed Guide to Planting and Caring for Potatoes
Spring begins in September and stretches through to November — although some years, by mid-November things might start to get a bit summery. To prepare your garden for spring, begin by harvesting (and enjoying) any vegetables from winter that are left over. Dig a trench about 15cm deep. Plant seed potatoes with a spacing of 30 - 40 cm between each one (shoots facing upwards) Backfill the trench with soil. Mound up some of the earth from either side to make it higher than the rest of your garden bed. This creates drainage for heavy rains. Water well.
Dig shallow trenches 7.5-15cm deep and plant the potatoes with the sprouts, or eyes, facing upwards. Space them 30-45cm apart in the rows. Backfill and cover the seed potatoes with soil before watering. Try not to water too frequently before you see shoots, because seed potatoes can rot in wet soil. Step 1 - Choose a Location Choose a spot with loose, well-drained soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunshine a day. Step 2 - Improve the Soil & Planting
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HOW TO PLANT POTATOES. WHEN TO PLANT POTATOES: In Melbourne and similar mild temperate regions, you can start planting from late winter to mid-spring. Step 1: Prepare your garden bed area.If you're starting on top of weeds or grass, lay clean plastic-tape stripped cardboard on the bottom - this smothers the weeds and kills them and will also decompose naturally over time. When to plant potatoes In tropical and sub-tropical regions, you can plant your potato year-round. However, avoid it being in the ground during the wet season. In cooler regions, plant from August onwards, after the risk of frost has passed.
