How Many Days From Planting Potatoes to Harvest?

Early Varieties

• The early varieties grow the fastest, but produce a lower yield, as a general rule. This group of potatoes should be sprouted indoors six weeks before planting outdoors. This can be done by laying the seed potatoes in a single layer in a tray or box and storing them in a light, frost-free place until the sprouts have grown to about three-fourths of an inch (2 centimeters) in length. When danger of frost has passed, plant the sprouted seed potatoes in holes 3 to 6 inches deep (7 to 15 centimeters), and about 14 inches (35 centimeters) apart. By late June and July, these potatoes will be ready to harvest. Early varieties include Caribe, Eramosa, Jemseg, Norland, Warba, and Yukon Gold. These varieties are suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3 through 10.

Early Regular Varieties

• Early varieties with a slightly longer growing season include Acacia Russet, All Blue, Atlantic, Purple Chief, Ruby Gold and Viking. These can also be started indoors, and then planted 15 inches (38 centimeters) apart in rows. They take 16 to 17 weeks to mature, can be harvested from late June until the start of August, and are also suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3 through 10.

Regular Season Varieties

• Regular season varieties of potatoes take the longest to mature, needing 18 to 20 weeks until they are ready to harvest, and are suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5 through 10. They take up the most space in your garden, and must be planted 27 inches (68 centimeters) apart, but have a higher yield and more varieties. They should be left in the soil for as long as possible, and can be harvested from late July into October if there is no danger of frost. Main-crop varieties include Blue Mac, Butte, Carola, Cherokee, Chieftain, Kennebec, Pink Pearl, Russet Burbank and Shepody.

Harvesting Potatoes

• New potatoes can be harvested carefully from the outer edges of the roots of each plant at any time, with careful use of a potato fork. When it comes time to harvest all the potatoes, cut back the stems to about 2 inches (5 centimeters) above the ground and leave the potatoes in the ground for another two weeks to harden the skins. Make sure the potatoes are harvested before any danger of frost arises.