Planting and care
How to grow potatoes
Cool season · Annual
Certified seed potatoes
18–36 in top growth
New potatoes: about 60–80 days from planting; mature storage potatoes: about 90–120 days.
Heavy feeder
Root Crop
How to prune
Do not prune green tops. Hill soil or clean mulch around stems as they grow so developing tubers stay covered; remove badly diseased foliage without spreading it.
How to harvest
Gently lift a few new potatoes after flowering if desired. For storage, wait for tops to die, stop watering, allow skins to set for about 10–14 days, then dig carefully and cure in a dark, ventilated place.
Harvest and kitchen use
Boiling, roasting, baking, mashing and soups
Nutrition and garden value
Potassium, vitamin C and fiber when skins are eaten
High-interest underground harvest crop
Common challenges and troubleshooting
Potato beetles, blight, scab and green tubers from light exposure
Safety note
Do not eat green tubers or sprouts