Today I forgot to wear a jersey. Turns out temperatures are not bad after all. Twenty degrees Celsius for Harare! Seems winter is slowly drifting away. Coincidentally this is the best period to start planting potatoes. Besides escaping the risk of frost and late blight attack, this is the period with the highest yield of all the 3 planting seasons.
 Potatoes can be planted using tubers or seeds. If you go the tubers way, you should make sure that each tuber has at least two shoots. The cutting utensils should be sterilized. The level of hygiene required is almost similar to mushroom farming standards. This form of potato farming requires one to be well experienced as not to infect the seed. It is then dipped into a fungicide to protect against fungal infection. I shall not continue to explain this method. If you would like to pursue it, you can send me an email through our contact us page.
 The simple method though a bit more expensive is buying true potato seed. True Potato seed is available at selected agri stores around Zimbabwe. Using this method is a lot easier for those who have done tobacco farming as they are familiar with the seedbeds. Then after a set period, usually six weeks, you then transplant the seedlings. A few farmers I have interviewed confirmed that the yield is farm much more than when using the traditional tubers.
 Alternatively, there are people who prepare tubers for farmers. In the Inyanga area, I know a place were you can buy ready to plant potato tubers. I will be coordinating a free weekend class on potato farming in Zimbabwe. Subscribe to my blog for more information.
Also click to learn hot to grow potatoes in sacks
 To your Success
how long does it takes to harvest them
It depends with the type of seed, and region but generally its three months. Potatoes also have a good return in cash and yield
Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative. I am gonna watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this in future. A lot of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
i want to plant 3 hactres of potatoes in marondera so i need your advice on the type of seed, the pestcides to use, the firtilizers to use just give me your advice….
on the type seed to use, it depends. true potato seed is cheap but you have to create nessary beds. so for a start I dont recommend them. Rather you use tubbers. Pestcides they are a handful but some depends on the type of seed you want to plant. We have ebooks that are detailed on this subject
Hi Mike. I cant say yes right now. You will need an agronomist to look at the soil or bring the samples to a lab so it gets tested. Alternatively, you can speak to one of our consultants. App me on 0733369923
I would like to plant 1hactare of potato in nyanga so would you assist me in everything required from seeds and chemicals required.
Do you think matabeleland would be ideal for potato farming along solusi rd
the best thing to do is find an agronomist in your area who will take soil samples and advice accodingly. But with new farming technologies, its nolonger a matter of which area you are. If your soil is not favourable you can use other mechanisms like the bags. We will be holding a potato farming training in Janurary.
i am totally blak on potato farming.please update on training for potato farming in future
i am totally blank on potato farming.please update me on training for potato farming in future
okay. will surely do that. we hold seminars regularly in Harare. YI have added you on my google talk. Also follow our facebook and twitter page for training updates
Is potato farming using bags/sacks only recommended for those with limited space or its even ideal to be implemented on something like 5 acres
It’s a yes and no answer. You may have the ideal space but not the ideal soil so you may still use the bags. Contact us on our whatsapp number so we can arrange a meeting with one of our consultants. 263733369923
please update us on training
Will make sure will do but the next trainning session will be in Harare
Your page is so helpful keep it up we are learning a lot of things.
Henry How are you? It’s is so inspiring to hear that the site is adding value. Follow us on facebook and twitter too
I have just come across your page as i was googling how to grow potatoes in a sack. Waal, am I impressed by your page, very informative. Well done, I am definetly going to following your page.
Many thanks for the praises. Follow us on http://www.facebook.com/ziminvestors; twitter: @ziminvestors and also subscribe to this site. May I know your arrear of interest so we can get our consultants to research on it. Great share thanks!!!!
Hi. I’m in Mutare and really interested in starting potato farming in bags at home in our yard. About 50-70 bags to start off with. I need help. Its unfortunate you will be having your training in harare. Would have loved to attend as well.
We can always arrange. We shall have an audio recording of the trainning and we are also planning for a video recording that will be available for download through our website. The manuals can also be available to you. Moreover, you can also travel to Harare for the training and we will assist on securing accomodation
Update me on potato farming training.
Okay, thank you for the interest. We are arranging for trainning mid February. We will keep you in the loop
l want to join you in your trainings especially when you are carrying out potato farming practically
I have send you an email of the registration form
Which is the best time to start potatoes farming after the rains or before and does potatoes get affected by frost. What is the period in months to harvesting time is required.
After the rains saves you from early blight
this column is educational guys ,iam a smallascale farmer in bulawayo already engaged in potatoe farming ,my question is what are rhe general requirements for planting potatoes on a hectare iwish to expand my scale of production
PLIZ PROVIDE AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE ON HOW I CAN USE MY BACKYARD AS A POTATO FARM. AM CURRENTLY DECIDING AND PLANNING TO START THE PROJECT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. AM BASED IN BULAWAYO. IS IT POSSIBLE ?
Okay! It is very possiblr Sipho. Call me on my number or email me. I will get one of the consultants to work with you.
Hie, l am a young man who is very interested in trying out potato growing, how can I have access to your manuals and video. I am based in Victoria Falls
Hi Charles. The manual costs $30.00 and it comes with follow-up consultation. Email me when you are ready or call me on our viber line
Which is the best month to start planting potatoes or rather which months do you recommend given our climate here in zimbabwe
there are three potato planning seasons per year. Its either you do it now or you wait for winter to close
um impressed
When is your next course in Harare?
its in june but date to be advised. just in time for the winter crop
Im loving this site, very educating…keep telling us more..
thank you for the inspiration. You can also give us pointers on issues to research about
hallo,
May the responsible person get in touch with me thru email, i have a plot and wanted to do this at my plot, i need the full package of growing these potatoes,
Will be grateful to receive instance response
Hi there. Iam sorry I responded to you a little too late. We do have a grower’s manual which you can buy from us but also you need to seat down with one our consultants. You will take him to your plot and ask all the questions there. Its more helpful than responding here
Hi,
When are you offering the famous potato growing course in 2015? I would like my nephew to attend the course and buy your manual as well. He wants to do this in Chipinge.
hi there.I would like to start growin potatoes.I also need to know when and where your training course is been held.
do get in touch with us on invest@www.ziminvestors.com
quite informative. How much does it approximately cost to grow 1ha of potatoes
would like to join your program
Great. Get in touch with us on email at invest@www.ziminvestors.com
can they be grown in winter?
potatoes are best grown by avoiding winter… so either before or after winter
I want to grow potatoes in June. the peace of land I’m going to use has been used for tobacco for years. what can i do to this plot .