When's the Best Time for Potatoes? A Comprehensive Planting and Harvesting Guide

December 16, 2025 •

4 min read

Did you know that the time it takes for potatoes to mature can vary by up to 50 days, depending on the variety? Timing is everything for a successful crop, and knowing when's the best time for potatoes, both for planting and harvesting, is the key to a bountiful yield.

Quick Summary

The ideal time for potatoes depends on the variety and your climate zone. Planting typically occurs in early spring, with harvest extending from early summer for new potatoes through fall for mature maincrop varieties.

Key Points

Variety Dictates Timing: Planting and harvesting times depend heavily on whether you choose First Early (fast-growing) or Maincrop (slow-growing) potato varieties.
Climate is Key: Planting is tied to your local climate; early spring is common in temperate regions, while warmer areas may have multiple crops and different schedules.
Look for Flowers: For new potatoes, harvest can begin 2-3 weeks after the plants start flowering, yielding small, tender tubers.
Wait for Foliage to Die: For mature, storage potatoes, wait for the plant's foliage to completely die back, then let them cure in the ground for a few weeks to set the skin.
Cure and Store Properly: After harvesting, cure mature potatoes in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated space for 1-2 weeks before moving to long-term storage.
Avoid Light and Onions: Keep stored potatoes away from light to prevent greening, and separate them from onions, as ethylene gas causes premature sprouting.

Timing is Everything: Understanding Potato Varieties

The most important factor determining when to plant and harvest potatoes is the variety you choose. Potatoes are broadly categorized into three types based on their maturation period: First Early, Second Early (or mid-season), and Maincrop. Understanding the differences is the first step towards a successful crop. Each type has a different growth cycle and flavor profile, influencing both when you plant and when you enjoy the results.

First Early potatoes mature the quickest, often in just 60 to 80 days after planting. These are typically harvested as 'new' potatoes, which are small, thin-skinned, and best eaten fresh. Maincrop varieties take much longer, sometimes up to 120 days or more, and are ideal for long-term storage.

Planting by Variety and Climate

Your location and climate zone are critical to determining the precise timing for planting. In cooler regions with distinct seasons, the planting schedule is more rigid, tied closely to the last frost date. In warmer, frost-free climates, it's possible to grow potatoes year-round or schedule multiple crops.

First Early Potatoes

Planting: Typically from mid-March to mid-April, or as soon as the soil can be worked.
Location: Best for areas with shorter growing seasons or for those who want a quick harvest of new potatoes.
Preparation: Chitting, or pre-sprouting, seed potatoes is highly recommended to encourage early growth.

Maincrop Potatoes

Planting: Usually in late April or early May, allowing for a longer growing period.
Location: Suitable for northern regions with a long, mild summer.
Goal: Producing large, mature tubers perfect for baking, mashing, and storage.

Warm Climate Planting

In warmer zones, you may plant in late winter (Feb) for a spring harvest, or in late summer (Aug/Sept) for a winter crop.
The cooler temperatures are needed for tuber formation, as extreme heat can inhibit growth.

Harvesting Your Potato Crop

Knowing when to harvest is just as important as planting at the right time. The signs of maturity differ based on whether you want small, tender new potatoes or large, mature storage potatoes.

For New Potatoes:

Look for the plant to flower, which indicates that the first tubers are forming.
Harvest around 2-3 weeks after flowering by gently digging around the plant and removing a few tubers.
These have a delicate skin and don't store well, so only dig them up as needed.

For Mature Storage Potatoes:

Wait until the plant's foliage turns yellow, then withers and dies back completely.
This signals that the plant has finished converting energy into the tubers.
For best results, wait another two to three weeks after the foliage has died back to allow the skin to toughen up. This is called 'setting the skin' and greatly improves storage life.
Choose a dry day for harvesting to prevent rot during storage.

Harvesting and Curing for Long-Term Storage

After digging up your maincrop potatoes, proper handling and curing are essential for maximizing their shelf life. Never wash potatoes before storage, as moisture can encourage rot.

Brush off excess soil: Gently brush off loose dirt, being careful not to bruise the tubers.
Cure the potatoes: Place them in a cool, dark, well-ventilated space (around 50-60°F) with high humidity for 1-2 weeks.
Store in a cool, dark place: After curing, store in a dark place at a lower temperature (around 40-46°F), such as a basement or root cellar.
Use breathable containers: Mesh bags, baskets, or open-top cardboard boxes are ideal, as they allow for good air circulation.
Separate from other produce: Keep potatoes away from ripening fruit like apples and onions, as the ethylene gas they release can cause potatoes to sprout prematurely.

Comparison of Potato Varieties


Feature	First Early/New Potatoes	Maincrop Potatoes
Planting Time	Early Spring (Mar-Apr)	Late Spring (Apr-May)
Maturity	60-80 days	100-130 days
Harvest Time	Early Summer (June-July)	Late Summer/Fall (Aug-Oct)
Optimal Size	Small, golf-ball sized	Large, full-sized tubers
Skin Texture	Thin and delicate	Thickens during maturation for storage
Cooking Uses	Boiling, salads	Baking, mashing, roasting
Storage Life	Poor; eat within a few weeks	Excellent; can last for months

Conclusion

Ultimately, the best time for potatoes is a dynamic answer influenced by your location and desired outcome. By understanding the distinct needs of early and maincrop varieties and paying attention to visual cues like flowering and dying foliage, you can precisely time your harvest for the best flavor and texture. Proper curing and storage are the final steps to ensure your hard work in the garden pays off with delicious, homegrown potatoes for months to come. For more detailed information on specific planting methods, consider resources like The Old Farmer's Almanac.

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Local conditions, specific potato varieties, and unexpected weather can all influence planting and harvesting success. Always consult a local agricultural extension or gardening resource for advice tailored to your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Potatoes should be planted when the soil temperature has reached at least 45°F (7°C). Planting in soil that is too cold and wet can cause the seed potatoes to rot.

Yes, potatoes can be grown very successfully in large containers, bags, or pots on a patio or balcony, especially First Early and Second Early varieties.

Hilling is the process of mounding soil around the base of the growing potato plant. This encourages more potatoes to form along the underground stems and protects developing tubers from sunlight, which can turn them green and inedible.

Mature, storage-ready potatoes are harvested after the plant's foliage has completely died back. You can test maturity by rubbing the skin; if it's firm and doesn't rub off easily, it's ready.

New potatoes are harvested early while the plant is still green, giving them a thin skin and waxy texture. Storage potatoes are harvested later, after the foliage dies, allowing them to develop a thick skin and starchy flesh.

Store potatoes in a cool (40-46°F), dark, and well-ventilated space, such as a root cellar or insulated garage. Ensure they are clean but unwashed, and use breathable containers like mesh bags or baskets.

Potatoes can sprout prematurely due to improper storage conditions. This can be caused by temperatures that are too warm, exposure to light, or storing them near ripening fruit or onions.