Please Read Before Ordering

Seed potatoes are live tubers, not dry seed. They continue to change after harvest and may arrive dormant, breaking dormancy, lightly sprouting, or actively sprouting.

Sprouting is a normal part of the potato growing cycle and does not automatically mean the tubers are faulty. If you live in a cooler region and need to hold seed potatoes before planting, please read this guide fully before ordering.

If you require completely dormant seed potatoes for long-term storage, please contact us before ordering so we can advise on the current condition of our stock.

1. What to Expect When Your Seed Potatoes Arrive

Seed potatoes are live horticultural produce. They are not dry, static seeds.

After harvest, each tuber continues moving through its natural biological cycle. The stage they arrive in can vary depending on variety, harvest timing, seasonal conditions, storage conditions and time of dispatch.

Because we supply gardeners across many Australian climate zones at the same time, some customers may be ready to plant immediately while others may still be several weeks away from their ideal planting window.

Your seed potatoes may arrive in one of the following stages.

Dormant

The tubers are firm with no visible shoots or only very slight signs of eye development.

Dormant tubers may still begin sprouting soon after arrival if they are stored in warm, dark or enclosed conditions.

Breaking Dormancy

The tubers may show small eyes, bumps, tiny shoots or early buds.

This means the potato is beginning to wake up. This is normal.

Actively Sprouting or Chitted

The tubers may have visible shoots.

Sprouting is part of the natural growing process. It usually means the seed potato is alive and ready to grow. Once sprouting begins, the tuber uses some of its stored moisture and energy to support the new shoots. This can make the tuber feel softer or look slightly shrivelled.

This is a normal biological stage and does not automatically mean the tuber is faulty.

Tuber Size

Seed potatoes are graded for planting, not eating.

Smaller tubers are normal and can be very useful because they often do not need to be cut before planting. Larger tubers may be cut before planting if needed, provided each piece has healthy eyes and the cut surface is allowed to dry before planting.

2. Normal Condition vs Faulty Condition

The following can be normal for seed potatoes:

•       Light sprouting

•       Firm shoots

•       Slight softness after sprouting

•       Slight wrinkling or shrivelling

•       Dry skin

•       Surface marks

•       Different tuber sizes

•       Different sprout lengths

•       Some tubers sprouting earlier than others

Please contact us promptly with clear photos if your seed potatoes are:

•       Wet or leaking

•       Slimy

•       Foul smelling

•       Mouldy

•       Collapsing

•       Rotten through the centre

•       Severely damaged in transit

3. Storage Before Planting

Open your parcel as soon as it arrives.

Do not leave seed potatoes sitting in a postal satchel, sealed box, plastic bag or enclosed packaging.

Seed potatoes need airflow. If they are kept sealed, warm, dark or damp, they can deteriorate quickly.

4. How to Store Seed Potatoes Before Planting

If you are not ready to plant immediately, follow these steps.

Unpack Immediately

Remove seed potatoes from all shipping packaging.

Do not store them in plastic bags, postal satchels, sealed containers or closed cartons.

Place in a Single Layer

Lay the tubers out in a single layer. Good options include:

•       Open cardboard trays

•       Egg cartons

•       Seedling trays

•       Shallow crates

•       Open breathable boxes

Do not pile them deeply on top of each other.

Choose a Cool Position

Store them in a cool, frost-free place. Avoid:

•       Hot sheds

•       Warm rooms

•       Direct sun

•       Sealed cupboards

•       Laundry rooms with high moisture

•       Plastic containers

•       Car boots

•       Fridge crisper drawers

Give Bright Indirect Light

Bright indirect light helps shoots grow short, sturdy and strong.

Dark storage often causes long, pale, weak shoots.

Avoid direct sunlight, which can overheat or damage the tubers.

Keep Airflow Around Them

Good airflow reduces moisture build-up and helps lower the risk of rot.

Check the tubers every week and remove any that become wet, mouldy, leaking or rotten.

5. Do Not Store Seed Potatoes in the Fridge Crisper

We do not recommend storing seed potatoes in a fridge crisper.

A crisper drawer is usually dark, enclosed and moisture-retentive. This can increase the risk of condensation, poor airflow and rot.

Seed potatoes are best held in a cool, bright, dry and well-ventilated position.

6. Chitting Seed Potatoes

Chitting means allowing seed potatoes to develop short, sturdy shoots before planting.

This is a common preparation method. It can help potatoes establish faster once planted.

To chit seed potatoes:

•       Place tubers in a single layer

•       Keep them in bright indirect light

•       Keep them cool but frost-free

•       Keep them dry

•       Provide good airflow

•       Position the strongest eyes facing upward where possible

The aim is to grow short, firm shoots.

Long, pale, thin shoots usually mean the potatoes have been kept too warm or too dark.

7. Can Sprouted Seed Potatoes Still Be Planted?

Yes.

Sprouted seed potatoes can usually be planted if they are otherwise healthy.

They should not be wet, slimy, mouldy, foul smelling, collapsing or rotten.

If your local planting season has not yet arrived, hold them carefully in a cool, bright and well-ventilated position until conditions are suitable.

8. How Long Can Seed Potatoes Be Stored?

Short-term holding is usually possible if seed potatoes are stored correctly.

Long-term storage is less predictable.

Once seed potatoes have started sprouting, they are actively growing. They will continue to use stored moisture and energy, so they may become softer over time.

If your planting season is still several months away, please consider this before ordering.

We cannot guarantee that seed potatoes ordered well before your local planting window will remain in the same condition for months after delivery.

9. Australian Climate and Planting Guide

Australia has very different potato planting windows depending on climate.

The guide below is general only. Please adjust for your local frost dates, soil temperature, rainfall and garden conditions.

Tropical and Subtropical Regions

Examples include Queensland and northern New South Wales.

General planting window: Autumn to winter is often preferred. March to May may suit many areas. Some areas may also plant in late winter or early spring.

Growing notes: Avoid the hottest and wettest months. Use free-draining soil. Avoid waterlogged conditions. Provide good airflow. Plant promptly once conditions are suitable.

Warm Temperate Regions

Examples include coastal New South Wales, warmer inland areas and sheltered districts.

General planting window: Late winter to early spring. Some areas may also suit autumn planting.

Growing notes: Avoid peak summer heat. Choose a sunny position in mild areas. Use morning sun with afternoon protection in hotter districts. Keep soil evenly moist but not wet.

Temperate Regions

Examples include Sydney, coastal New South Wales, parts of South Australia and many mild Victorian areas.

General planting window: Late winter to spring. Often July to September, depending on frost and soil conditions. Some districts may suit a late summer or autumn crop.

Growing notes: Wait until soil is workable and not waterlogged. Protect young shoots from late frost. Plant early enough to avoid peak summer heat during tuber development.

Cool and Cold Climates

Examples include many parts of Victoria, ACT, inland tablelands, elevated New South Wales and frosty districts.

General planting window: Late winter to spring. Often August to November, depending on local frost risk.

Growing notes: Do not plant too early into cold, wet soil. Protect young shoots from frost. Chitting before planting can help. Plant once your local conditions are suitable.

10. Planting Instructions

Plant seed potatoes into loose, fertile, well-drained soil.

Avoid planting into cold, wet, heavy or compacted soil.

General spacing:

•       Plant around 10 to 15 cm deep

•       Space tubers around 25 to 35 cm apart

•       Space rows around 60 to 75 cm apart

Plant with shoots facing upward where possible.

Water in after planting, then keep soil moist but not soggy.

11. Earthing Up

As the potato plants grow, mound soil, compost or mulch around the lower stems. This is called earthing up or hilling.

It helps:

•       Keep developing tubers covered

•       Reduce greening from light exposure

•       Protect young growth from frost

•       Support the plant

Do not cover the entire plant. Leave the top leaves exposed.

12. Growing in Bags or Containers

Seed potatoes can be grown in large pots, tubs or grow bags.

Use:

•       A deep container

•       Drainage holes

•       Quality potting mix

•       Compost or suitable vegetable fertiliser

•       A sunny position in cool areas

•       Morning sun in hotter districts

•       Regular watering

Do not let containers sit in water.

As the shoots grow, add more potting mix around the stems until the container is nearly full.

13. Harvesting

Harvest time depends on variety, season and growing conditions.

New potatoes can often be harvested once plants have flowered and tubers are large enough to use.

For mature potatoes, wait until the foliage yellows and dies back.

Harvest gently and keep harvested tubers out of strong sunlight.

Do not eat green potatoes.

14. Before You Order

Before ordering seed potatoes, please check:

•       Your local planting window

•       Your frost risk

•       Whether you can plant soon

•       Whether you have a suitable place to hold them before planting

•       Whether you require dormant tubers for long-term storage

If you are unsure, please contact us before ordering.

15. Purchasing Notice

Seed potatoes are live seasonal produce.

They may arrive dormant, breaking dormancy, lightly sprouting or actively sprouting. These stages are normal and do not automatically mean the product is faulty.

Please choose your ordering time carefully based on your local planting conditions.

We do not provide refunds, replacements or store credit solely because healthy, viable seed potatoes were purchased before the buyer’s local planting window or because sprouted tubers cannot be held for an extended period in the buyer’s conditions.

This does not limit your rights under Australian Consumer Law. If your seed potatoes arrive damaged, rotten, mouldy, leaking, collapsing or otherwise faulty, please contact us promptly with clear photos so we can assess the issue.