When To Plant And Harvest Potatoes

When to plant and harvest potatoes depends on your local climate, but the general rule is to plant them in early spring and harvest them in mid-to-late summer.
 
Potatoes are a cool-season crop, so timing your planting and harvesting correctly is the key to a big, delicious yield.
 
If you plant too early, a hard frost can kill the young sprouts, and if you harvest too late, the tubers might rot in the ground.
 
In this post, we’ll break down exactly when to plant potatoes, when to harvest potatoes, and how to tell if your spuds are ready to pull.
 
Let’s dig into the details so you can get the timing right every single season.
 

When to Plant Potatoes: Timing for Your Region

Knowing when to plant potatoes is all about soil temperature and the last frost date in your area.
 
Potatoes prefer soil that’s around 45°F to 50°F (7°C to 10°C) at planting time, so you’re aiming for a window about two to four weeks before your last expected spring frost.
 
Here’s a closer look at the best times to get those seed potatoes in the ground.
 

1. Soil Temperature Matters for When to Plant Potatoes

The single biggest factor in when to plant potatoes is the temperature of the soil.
 
If you plant into cold, soggy ground, your seed potatoes are prone to rotting before they ever sprout.
 
Aim for soil that’s consistently above 45°F, and use a soil thermometer if you want to be precise.
 
When the soil is warm enough, your potatoes will sprout quickly and establish strong roots.
 

2. Last Frost Date Guides Your Planting Schedule

Your local last frost date is your best friend when you’re figuring out when to plant potatoes.
 
In most regions, you’ll plant potatoes about two to four weeks before that date, since the young plants can handle a light frost but not a hard freeze.
 
For example, if your last frost is around May 1st, aim to plant in mid-April.
 
If you’re in a mild winter zone, you can even plant in late winter for an early summer harvest.
 

3. Seasonal Timing: Spring, Summer, and Fall Planting

Traditionally, when to plant potatoes is in early spring, but you have options depending on your goals.
 
In cooler climates, plant in early spring as soon as the soil is workable.
 
In warmer climates, you can do a second planting in late summer for a fall harvest.
 
And if you’re in a very mild area, you can plant in fall for a winter or early spring crop.
 
No matter what, the goal is to have the tubers grow in cool, moist conditions and mature before extreme heat arrives.
 

When to Harvest Potatoes: Signs They’re Ready

Knowing when to harvest potatoes is just as crucial as knowing when to plant potatoes.
 
Harvesting at the right time gives you either tender “new” potatoes or mature, thick-skinned storage spuds.
 
You’ll need to watch the plant’s growth and the calendar to get it just right.
 

1. Early Harvest for New Potatoes

If you love those sweet, thin-skinned new potatoes, you can start harvesting about two to three weeks after the plants flower.
 
At this stage, when to harvest potatoes is early because the tubers are small but incredibly flavorful.
 
Gently dig around the base of the plant and pull a few young spuds, leaving the rest to keep growing.
 
This is a great way to enjoy fresh potatoes without waiting for full maturity.
 

2. Main Harvest: Wait for the Foliage to Die Back

For full-sized potatoes meant for storage, you’ll want to wait until the foliage has yellowed and died back completely.
 
This usually happens about 90 to 120 days after planting, depending on the variety.
 
When the tops of the plants have fallen over and turned brown, the skins on the potatoes have thickened, which makes them last longer in storage.
 
This is the classic signal for when to harvest potatoes for a main crop.
 

3. Check the Size of a Few Tubers First

Before you dig up the whole patch, do a test dig.
 
Reach into the soil around a plant and feel for a few potatoes to check their size.
 
If they’re as big as a hen’s egg, you can harvest them as new potatoes, or wait longer for larger ones.
 
If they’re undersized, give them more time and check again in a week or two.
 
This simple check takes away the guesswork of when to harvest potatoes.
 

How to Harvest Potatoes Without Damaging Them

Once you’ve decided when to harvest potatoes, you need to do it carefully to avoid bruising or slicing the tubers.
 
Use a garden fork, not a shovel, to loosen the soil around the plant.
 
Start about a foot away from the base and work your way in to avoid piercing the potatoes.
 
Then, lift the plant and gently pull the tubers from the roots, and hand-dig a bit to find any strays.
 
Handle them gently and don’t wash them right away, as dirt actually helps protect the skin during curing.
 

1. Cure Your Potatoes for Longer Storage

After harvesting, let your potatoes cure in a cool, dark, humid place for about two weeks.
 
This step is essential if you’re planning to store them for months.
 
Curing allows the skins to set and any nicks to heal, which prevents rot and mold in storage.
 
Once cured, brush off the dirt and store them in a cool, dark spot at around 40°F to 50°F.
 

So, When to Plant and Harvest Potatoes?

When to plant and harvest potatoes is all about matching your schedule to the soil temperature and the plant’s natural growth cycle.
 
You’ll want to plant potatoes in early spring, a few weeks before the last frost, and harvest them in mid-to-late summer once the foliage dies back.
 
The exact weeks vary by region, but sticking to these general guidelines will give you a solid crop every year.
 
Just remember, for new spuds, harvest early when flowers appear, and for storage potatoes, wait for the tops to wither.
 
With a little attention to timing, you’ll enjoy homegrown potatoes that taste far better than anything from the store.
 
Happy planting, and even happier harvesting.