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The Global Insight

What season do potatoes grow in Australia

Author

Ava Hall

Updated on March 26, 2026

An early crop is sown in winter and harvested in spring and summer. The mid-season crop is planted in spring for harvest in summer and autumn. A late crop is sown in summer and autumn and harvested in winter and spring. The Riverina potato crops are grown on large-scale irrigation farms with sandy and sandy loam soils.

What season do potatoes grow in?

Depending on local weather, most gardeners plant in March, April or May, and expect a harvest about four months later, starting to dig new potatoes about two to three weeks after plants flower. But again, some can be planted in the fall in mild-winter areas.

What month are potatoes harvested?

You harvest main crops in late summer, typically in August to September and you know the time is right when much of the foliage on all your plants begin to turn yellow. It will then shrivel up and turn brown and dry, and eventually only shriveled leaves and stems will be left.

Do potatoes grow in all seasons?

Potatoes can grow in winter as long as they get enough light and are protected from freezes or hard frosts. Potatoes can grow outdoors in winter in warmer southern climates, such as Florida. In colder climates, potatoes can grow in winter if planted in containers indoors or in a heated greenhouse.

How do potatoes grow in Australia?

Dig a trench for the seed potatoes about 30 – 40cm wide and 10 – 20cm deep. Add a bit more compost/manure to the bottom of the trench and cover with some soil. Put seed potatoes 20 – 30cm apart in the trench, shoot-side up. Fill in the trench to cover the potatoes.

Can you grow potatoes all year round in Australia?

Recommended planting time: Potatoes can be grown in many months of the year, depending on whether the garden receives frost, as potatoes are frost-tender. Potatoes need 60-90 days frost-free to be successfully harvested; potatoes harvested early as ‘new’ potatoes do not store well.

Can u grow potatoes in winter?

Potatoes are a great winter-early spring crop and at this time of the year you will find seed potatoes available in local garden centers and on-line. And there’s a potato planting solution for any sized garden! They can be planted in the ground in rows or in mounds, in containers, in potato bags, or in potato towers.

How long is potato season?

Growing Season Length The growing season for potatoes can range from 75 to 135 days.

Can you plant potatoes in autumn?

Potatoes are a cool season crop but do not like it cold and frost will kill them. … Therefore growing potatoes in autumn makes a lot of sense as they are planted when the temperatures are warm, which will promote good foliage growth, and then as the temperatures start to drop tubers will begin to develop.

Can you grow potatoes in summer?

Potatoes planted in summer are called second-crop potatoes. … You can save your own seed potatoes for second cropping by keeping some of your spring seeds back. Keep them on a cool, bright windowsill.

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Can you grow potatoes in winter in Melbourne?

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. Seed potatoes can be planted from late winter to mid-spring. … Avoid using any old potato that has sprouted in your pantry as they may introduce diseases to your soil.

What kind of weather is best for potatoes?

Potatoes grow best in cool, well-drained, loose soil that is about 45° to 55°F (7° to 13°C). Choose a location that gets full sun—at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Grow potatoes in rows spaced about 3 feet apart.

Can I grow potatoes in December?

You can plant some late maturing varieties in early summer for a fall harvest and/or plant early potato varieties and midseason types a few weeks prior to the last spring frost date for your area. … Then you can plant potatoes at the very end of November to the beginning of December.

Can you grow potatoes in January?

From late January into February, ‘chit‘ your seed potatoes by setting them out in seed trays, shallow boxes or empty egg cartons in a cool, bright, frost-free position (10C/ 50F), to allow them to sprout.

Can potatoes be planted in November?

What is this? Zones 9a and 9b – Plant your spring crop in January and your fall crop in October and November. Zones 10a and 10b – Plant your potatoes in January and February and again in November.

Can you grow potatoes in winter Australia?

In Western Australia, potatoes can be planted at almost any time of the year. They tend to do best when planted in in late winter/ early spring or late summer/autumn. Potatoes grow better in the cooler weather of spring and autumn and may become stressed during the hottest parts of summer.

Can I plant potatoes in October?

Potatoes planted in the fall get a head start on the growing season. They will stay dormant in the soil over the winter. … By planting the potato tubers in the fall they will start to grow roots as soon as the soil is the right temperature. This gives them at least a 2-week head start over spring-planted potatoes.

Where are potatoes grown in Australia?

Historically, Victoria and Tasmania have been the biggest potato production states.

Can I plant potatoes in August?

Plant fall-crop potatoes 90 to 110 days before your expected frost date — needed for the specific cultivar to reach maturity. Depending on your climate, that might be as early as June or as late as mid-August.

How late in the year can you plant potatoes?

If it is too late to plant in the spring, you can plant mid-season and late season potatoes as late as July 1st – as long as you live in a mild climate. If you want to store your potatoes over the winter, late season potatoes are the best option.

How long does it take potatoes to grow?

You can harvest potatoes as soon as they reach the size you desire. Generally, “new” potatoes are ready approximately 60 to 90 days from planting, depending upon the weather and the potato variety. One sign that young potatoes are ready is the formation of flowers on the plants.

Can I plant potatoes in June?

Early potatoes need around 100 days, and main crops need about 120 days and so planting in May and June will give a great harvest in the late summer. You can plant potatoes in June.

What are mid season potatoes?

In general, early potatoes like ‘Accent’ could take from 60-80 days to harvest; mid-season potatoes might range between 80-95 days and late potatoes fall approximately between 95 to 130 days. But there are always exceptions to the rule such as a mid to late season potato like the ‘Russet Burbank’ (95 to 110 days).

Can you grow potatoes in July?

Winter seed potatoes are essentially selected early varieties that have been kept at low temperatures to prevent them sprouting; the potatoes are planted in July for digging in late Autumn or left in the ground until Christmas.

Can I plant potatoes in May?

Potatoes can be planted between March and May, ready for harvest between June and October. Potatoes are a cool-weather crop. They aren’t able to grow in freezing weather so you’re better off waiting until at least march.

Where are potatoes grown in Victoria Australia?

Victoria, led by Goldfields growers, was number one in potato production for a century, until South Australia surged ahead 20 years ago. But, Ballarat growers retain a wealth of knowledge when it comes to propagating spuds. The variety of produce grown on the Mornington Peninsula is astounding.

Is potato a winter vegetable?

The vegetative growth of the plant is best at a temperature of 24°C while tuber development is favoured at 20°C. Hence, potato is grown as a summer crop in the hills and as a winter crop in the tropical and subtropical regions.

How long do potatoes take to grow Melbourne?

Harvest after about 15-20 weeks, when the leaves start to yellow. If you can’t wait, you can sneak an early crop of ‘new’ potatoes after the plant has flowered by digging gently under the plant with your hands and pulling out a few spuds.

What climate are potatoes grown?

Where to Grow Potatoes. Potatoes grow best in regions where there is a temperate climate with cool growing weather, ample rainfall, and deep fertile soil. Potatoes are a warm-season crop in the North, tender to frost and light freezes, and a cool-season crop in the South and West.

What temperatures can potatoes tolerate?

Planted potatoes can usually withstand a light frost that happens at temperatures between 29 and 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but a heavier frost can damage your potatoes.

Can you grow potatoes in a greenhouse in winter?

These can be hard to find in a grocery store, especially during winter. And they make very tasty salads. Growing potatoes in your greenhouse will provide your favorite varieties all year long, and you don’t need much space to do it.