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You know potatoes are ready to be picked when the plant’s foliage begins to yellow and die back, but the timing depends on whether you want new potatoes or mature storage spuds.
If you’ve been asking how to know when potatoes are ready to be picked, the answer also hinges on the variety you planted and the weather you’ve had.
The good news is that potatoes give you plenty of visual clues, so you don’t need to guess or dig up every plant to check.
In this post, we’ll walk through the exact signs that tell you when potatoes are ready to be picked, plus the differences between early, mid-season, and late harvests.
Let’s dig in and get those spuds out of the ground at the perfect moment.
When Potatoes Are Ready to Be Picked: The Key Signs
Potatoes are ready to be picked when the above-ground growth starts to fail, but there’s more to it than just watching the leaves.
Here are the main indicators that your crop has reached harvest maturity.
1. Flowering Signals Early Potatoes
For new potatoes, the first sign that potatoes are ready to be picked is when the plants begin to flower.
Once you see those small white, pink, or purple blossoms, small tubers have formed beneath the soil.
You can gently feel around the base of the plant or carefully dig up one plant to check the size of your new potatoes.
If they’re about the size of a golf ball or larger, you can start harvesting them as baby spuds.
Keep in mind that new potatoes won’t store well, so pick them just before you plan to cook them.
2. Yellowing Foliage Means Mature Potatoes
For full-sized, storage-ready potatoes, the foliage is your best clue for when potatoes are ready to be picked.
When the lower leaves start to turn yellow and flop over, the plant is telling you that the tubers have finished growing.
This usually happens about two to three weeks after flowering for early varieties.
For maincrop varieties, expect this yellowing to occur later in the season, often 70 to 100 days after planting.
Don’t rush to pick them at the first hint of yellow; wait until most of the foliage has died back for the best results.
3. Skin Set Is the Ultimate Test
The most reliable way to know when potatoes are ready to be picked is to check the skin’s firmness.
Mature potatoes have skins that are thick and don’t rub off easily when you gently press them with your thumb.
If the skin peels off with light friction, the potatoes need more time in the ground.
A simple test is to dig up one plant and rub a tuber gently; if the skin stays intact, they’re ready for long-term storage.
This skin set is crucial because thin-skinned potatoes bruise easily and rot quickly in storage.
4. Days to Maturity Based on Variety
Your seed packet or plant tag will give you a range of days to maturity, which helps you estimate when potatoes are ready to be picked.
Early varieties like Yukon Gold and Red Norland are ready in about 60 to 75 days.
Mid-season types, such as Kennebec and Russet Burbank, need 80 to 95 days.
Late varieties, like Fingerlings or some heirlooms, can take 100 to 120 days or more.
Use these estimates as a baseline, then confirm with the visual signs above before harvesting.
How to Know When Potatoes Are Ready to Be Picked for New vs. Storage
The answer to how to know when potatoes are ready to be picked changes depending on your goal, so let’s break it down.
1. For Fresh, Thin-Skinned New Potatoes
New potatoes are ready to be picked earlier, usually about two to three weeks after the plants flower.
At this stage, the skins are very thin and the flesh is moist and sweet, making them perfect for boiling or roasting.
You can harvest a few new potatoes from each plant without pulling the entire plant, just reach in carefully and remove a few tubers.
This method lets the remaining potatoes continue growing for a later harvest.
Just remember that new potatoes don’t store, so enjoy them within a week of picking.
2. For Mature, Storage-Ready Potatoes
Mature potatoes are ready to be picked after the foliage has completely died back and the skins have set firmly.
Wait about two to three weeks after the tops have flopped over before you dig.
This curing period in the soil helps the skins thicken even more, which improves their storage life.
Once you’ve confirmed the skin test passes, you can lift the entire plant with a garden fork and collect your crop.
Let the potatoes dry on the soil surface for an hour or two, then move them to a cool, dark place for proper curing.
The Best Way to Test If Potatoes Are Ready to Be Picked
If you’re still unsure when potatoes are ready to be picked, there’s a foolproof method that takes less than five minutes.
Dig up one test plant from the edge of your row or mound.
Gently brush away the soil and examine the tubers without washing them.
Press your thumb against the skin of a potato; if the skin doesn’t rub off, they’re mature and ready for storage.
If the skin does come off easily, give the rest of the plants another week or two and test again.
This simple test works every time and removes all the guesswork from your harvest.
Another trick is to check the size of the potatoes; mature spuds should be at least two to three inches in diameter for most varieties.
Common Mistakes When Deciding When Potatoes Are Ready to Be Picked
Even experienced gardeners can misjudge when potatoes are ready to be picked, so avoid these pitfalls.
1. Harvesting Too Early
Picking potatoes too early leaves you with tiny tubers that have thin skins and poor storage potential.
If you dig up a plant and see mostly marble-sized potatoes, they simply aren’t ready to be picked yet.
Let them stay in the ground, and the tubers will continue to size up quickly.
2. Waiting Too Long After Foliage Dies
On the flip side, leaving mature potatoes in wet soil for too long can cause them to rot or sprout.
Once the foliage is fully dead, aim to harvest within two to three weeks.
If heavy rain is forecast, it’s better to pick them early than risk them sitting in soggy ground.
3. Ignoring Soil Temperature
Potatoes grow best in cool soil, and they slow down when temperatures rise above 80°F (27°C).
If you’re wondering when potatoes are ready to be picked during a heatwave, the plants may stop growing prematurely.
In that case, check the skin set and harvest even if the foliage hasn’t fully died back.
So, How Do You Know When Potatoes Are Ready to Be Picked?
Potatoes are ready to be picked when the foliage yellows and dies back, the skins are firm, and the tubers have reached a good size.
You know potatoes are ready to be picked for new spuds right after flowering, while mature storage potatoes need the full die-back period.
Use the skin test to confirm, and check your variety’s days to maturity as a rough guide.
With these tips, you’ll never dig up a too-small or too-soft potato again.
Happy harvesting, and enjoy the best-tasting spuds straight from your garden.