So , you implant your potatoes , they look respectable , you have grapple to keep pests out . But when can you in reality harvest them ? With new white potato , early potatoes , broil potatoes and all sorts , it is hard to say when potatoes are ready to glean , is n’t it ?
And then , they are not like tomato plant … You ca n’t see the literal potato as they are in the ground .
Nature and the plant themselves will severalize you when your spud are readyto be dug up . In fact , the harvest of potatoes can take place from 50 to 120 days from planting . depend on the type of potato , on the local climate and , above all , what the plant life tells you , you could understand precisely if it is time to dig potatoes up .
How To Harvest Mature Potatoes
So , if a bountiful potato harvest that transitions well into storage voice dreamy to you , stick around as I ’ll take the air you through a clear , step - by - step template illustrating the tell - tale signs suggest it ’s time to grind up your potato plants .
Moreover , I ’ll share my tried - and - true method for harvesting homegrown potatoes , and my trust technique for heal and storing them efficaciously .
How Long Do Potatoes Take To Grow?
The answer to how long it will take you to harvest potatoes is … it depend … It roam from 50 to 120 + days from planting , which is a big window .
But it will depend on :
Baby and new potatoes can be harvest as ahead of time as 50 Clarence Day from planting , self-aggrandizing size Irish potato will take from 70 to 120 days .
How To Harvest Mature Potatoes
So , how can you tell when your potatoes are ready to harvest ?
How Can You Tell When Potatoes Are Ready to Harvest?
As we said , the best “ person ” to tell you when your potatoes are ready for the picking is the white potato industrial plant itself .
This too depends on whether you want to have small ( baby , new etc . ) potatoes or ripe single .
The tips of the white potato plants will say you in both cases when to start preparing for harvest :
This seems aboveboard and it is in many ways , but these are only basic indicators . To understand exactly when you should exterminate your potatoes , you need to empathise the life cycle of the plant .
Understanding the Life Cycle of a Potato Plant
We said that the plant will tell you when there are large and nutrient potatoes quick for you , remember ? Fine , but if you require to understand what the plant is telling you , you should get to know the life ofSolanum tuberosum – that ’s just the scientific name of the common potato plant …
Potatoes are actually recurrent plants , even if we grow them as annual . And like most perennials , it goes though three phases :
Potatoes are also tuberous flora , in fact , the potato itself is a tuber . This is very important for us .
When a tuberous plant goes into the dormant stage , it sends virtually all its energy into the tubers . These are “ energy reserves ” for the plant to do two things :
And here is the trick … Towards the terminal of their life , tuberous plant send heap of nutrients down into the tubers , which puff up and develop , in our case , into big potatoes .
What does it intend for us ? It means that the flora will only have small tubers ( potatoes ) till after it is in flower . Up to the fruiting microscope stage , deal of its energy will be used to develop first leaves , then flowers and finally the fruits ( potato have fruits too ) .
This means that it is a waste of time to harvest potatoes before they have fully bloomed .
This also have in mind that you need to harvest them before they sprout again , or they will expend up all the nutrients salt away in the tubers to grow new plant .
This is the maximum window for harvest potatoes , but … In most land , like temperate unity , you also involve to glean your potatoes before it gets too stale . spud will resist a light freeze , in fact , but in temperate winters , they risk rotting by , and surely lose eubstance and weight .
How To Harvest Mature Potatoes
Yes , because despite being pop in cold countries like Ireland , tater are really from South America .
To close , and to give you a panoptic frame of point of reference , you need to harvest your white potato vine in a window that goes from when the plant is in full bloom to before the tubers lose strength , which is before wintertime or regermination , whichever comes first .
But this still leaves a wide window , does n’t it ?
Yes , and we are last to see exactly when within this window you should travail up your potato craw .
When Are Potatoes Ready To Harvest?
A lot reckon on which type of potato you want . The difference is really huge in terms of harvest home . You will notice that you get fresh baby , new and former potatoes from springtime , while bake potatoes will come in late summer or even fall .
This does not have in mind that new white potato have plants that go shorter than larger potatoes … No … They are reap in the beginning .
This is why the processes for these two type of potatoes are unlike .
Let ’s start with the smaller , and more tender potatoes .
When to Harvest Baby, New and Early Potatoes?
The crop of baby and novel potatoes may be as other as 50 days after planting , though it normally end up being between 60 and 90 days . There are many factors take in the maturity of the tubers underground , including :
You gauge ; the affectionate the climate , the faster the growth . Also , wanton but rich soil is better than short and concentrated land … Bugs like the famous potato weevil can damp the foliage and the flora , which in turn can not send as much muscularity to be stack away down in the tubers .
As to the temperature , extreme variety can bear on your young potatoes .
Usually , you will plant them in March or other April for an former craw and in May for a summer crop . If you plant them afterwards , the temperature may exceed the 16 to 21oC average range ( 60 to 70oF ) they need to grow sound untested plant .
But is there a sign the plant will give you ?
Yes ! And the sign is the bloom :
How to Harvest Baby, New and Early Potatoes
How to Store Baby, New and Early Potatoes
youthful potatoes are not as strong as mature white potato . They will not normally last as long as big , bake size of it spud .
In fact , untried murphy are soft and plentiful in water . This think of that they are more susceptible to the weather condition .
The skin of new , child and sometimes other potato will come off easily if you fret it . This think that it has not inspissate , so , it will only offer little protection to the tuber .
This means one thing : you need to treat infant , new and early potatoes very carefully .
They will not last you a class , but still you could have them for quite a few months , on condition that you stash away them correctly . Especially former potatoes can really last you till the next spring ! So , here is how .
There are also mistakes you must ward off at all costs :
Storing Seed Potatoes
Seed potatoesare the potatoes we will plant next year . They too need to be salt away , but first of all you will need to opt them …
Now , on to how you’re able to store them .
These potatoes will be ready for planting whenever you want next year .
Storing seed potatoes is the same outgrowth for modest Irish potato and for mature ace , which we are going to see next .
Harvesting, Curing and Storing Mature, Large Potatoes
fledged potatoes , like baking and stewing single , are a different story . They take longer to harvest , they will last longer when salt away but , above all , they need curing , a mental process which we will see in a moment .
Timing the Harvest if Large, Mature Potatoes
Large potatoes , like baking potatoes , will take much longer from plant to harvest . This will not happen before than 90 daylight from planting , and it very often goes well beyond this time , up to 120 days .
Some husbandman even do it after this long period , but only in countries where winter comes recently or it is very mild .
Why should you await so long ?
Because you want your white potato vine as big and rich in nutrients as possible .
And when does that happen ?
Technically , when the works has wilted , it is the time when the spud are biggest .
Let ’s look back at the life history cycle of a potato . Before the leaves and stanch ( the aerial part ) die off for the wintertime , the plant stores as much energy as possible into the tubers . When the plant is dead , it can not store any more vigour into the tubers .
But the tuber may start drop off some of it due to cold weather and other factor . This tells us that the peak of the potato is exactly when the airy part of the works has just died off .
But you may not be capable to hit this time precisely , for many reasons :
In fact , the growing of the genus Tuber in the last few twenty-four hours may be so circumscribed that most gardener do not chance have frost ruin their tater or just want to apply the land for a wintertime crop .
So , most gardener start before the industrial plant has died off completely .
But when exactly ?
Once more , the plants will give you a unclouded touch !
A clear-cut signboard that your potato plants are ready for harvest is the change in the leaves . As they start wilting , the leaves plow pale and papery , indicating that photosynthesis has stopped and they wo n’t rise any larger . to boot , you ’ll comment the leaves bow down toward the soil . When they relate the terra firma , it ’s a solid index number that your Solanum tuberosum plant has complete its lifecycle and is quick to be dug up .
Even upon remark these signs , I find it wise to waitress for the leafage to fully die back before harvesting . This forbearance ensures that my potatoes have reached their peak size and nutrient content , making the waiting worthwhile . However , as soon as the tips wilt forth , you’re able to start planning my harvest .
So , how can you confirm whether the potato are ready ?
Keeping an optic on the stage of maturity date of your potatoes once the first summit start wilting is key to bring the harvest timing right .
Now , especially if you exist in a piazza , like in most Northern US states or Canada , where the conditions can switch short tardily in the season , keep check off your potatoes and as shortly as they are ready harvest them . You do n’t need to take chances the whole crop for an spare millimeter in size …
If the skin is hard , but the murphy are still smallish , yet there is a risk of frost , you ’d better harvest them . They will not become huge anyway at this stage .
Before we move on to see how you may harvest your potatoes , one admonisher : the last few workweek or month before harvest your mature potatoes reduce lachrymation !
You want the tuber to have piffling H2O and lots of nutrients , to be “ on the dry side ” . They will store well , last longer and they will in reality be more alimentary .
How to Harvest Mature Potatoes
Now you make love when to harvest mature spud , let ’s see how you’re able to do it successfully .
You see , despite potatoes looking rough and unassailable , they are actually very frail , especially at this level . Treat them kindly and they will be quick for the next two steps : heal and store .
How to Cure Mature Potatoes
fledged potatoes need to be cured before stash away them away . This procedure involves indurate and dry the tubers , so that they can be stored safely . You see , the less water you have inside the tubers , the longer they will last and the least probable they have to break diseases or putrefaction .
In fact , the hardening start even before harvesting … Do you recollect that we sound out you should thin lacrimation a few weeks or a calendar month before harvest ? That is actually when you start curing them .
But asunder from this , what should you do after you have dig up them up ? Here we go …
There are two phases to curing white potato vine : here is the first stage .
Now on to the second phase if heal potatoes .
You will need a well ventilated and dark post , where the temperature is between 7 and 16oC ( 45 to 60oF ) . You will also involve a simple table , or any matt and dry open .
Now your white potato vine are quick for storage .
heal may look like a laborious cognitive operation , and you do need a cool and dismal place .
However , it hardens the white potato vine skins , it dry up thepotatoes and it also give you 10 days to 2 calendar week to permit any rotting or disease to start , so that you do n’t end up storing infected or unhealthy potatoes with healthy unity …
On the whole , it is rally worthwhile !
How to Store Mature Potatoes
The means you will store big , matured potatoes depends on :
Let ’s see …
So , how to store a large harvest of matured and cured potatoes ?
To lead off with , the two fundamental element you need are :
These are the circumstance you will find out in most cellars .
The place will also want to be dark . luminosity will encourage the potatoes to sprout .
The rule is to have layers of potatoes with ventilation between them .
How about if you want to take a few potato out and store them , maybe in your closet or in your shop , before using them ?
And …
That ’s all folks !
Harvesting Potatoes in Containers, Raised Beds and Grow Bags
How about if you do not have your potatoes in full soil ? Raised bed are becoming very pop in urban and suburban garden . Some people may grow potatoes in great containers . lastly , Irving Howe bags are becoming a favourite alternative to garden bed and rows …
What should you do in this case ?
In terms of timing :
How about curing and storing ?
How to Harvest Potatoes in containers and Raised Beds
The chief difference in the harvest method is due to the size of it and to the structure of the containers or raised beds . So , let ’s see what changes .
As you’re able to see , it is quite simple and straightforward . But how about acquire bag ? We will see them next .
How to Harvest Potatoes from Grow Bags
So you favour develop bags to container ? Fine , harvesting potatoes from grow bags is easy if you are wise in planting . Otherwise , it ’s a tiny bit more complicated … So , we need to distinguish between two case .
1.You planted dissimilar varieties in the sam bag ( unwise).2.You imbed in , y one variety within each bagful ( sassy ) .
If you have a “ assorted handbag ” , the chances are thatthey will not all mature at the same meter … And that will be the main problem . So how can you do it ?
Now , compare this with what you postulate to do if you are wise with planting , i.e. if you have planted the same motley in each bag .
This may be a good time to dry out and disinfect the bags too . A few days un the Sun and nothingness and a atomizer of orchard apple tree cider vinegar will do the deception .
As you cam see , if you are wisewhen plant your potatoes , you make your life much easier later on !
FAQS on Harvesting Potatoes
So , any other questions ? Well , here are the most common I have hear , of course with an expert and comprehensive solvent !
If you do n’t harvest potatoes when the plant ’s leafage dies back , they may pullulate and make more tater next class , or you may lose most or all of them . But you take both a tender wintertime and lots of space around each plant to get a new harvest from potatoes you have not harvested .
If the potato are close by they will not have elbow room to get healthy plants and Tuber . If the wintertime are cold and wet , they will simply rot .
But even if you live in a live land and have plant your potatoes vary far aside , the chances are that remnant white potato will not give you great results … You see , you need loose stain ( so you would meed to work it ) and copious territory ( so you will ask to feed it … )
Most sodbuster forget a few Solanum tuberosum when they harvest . Most Farmer , even in hot and dry rural area , see a few plant coming up next twelvemonth . All farmers know that the chances are that you will get a few , smaller than average potatoes from them , not a keen crop !
Absolutely ! Ripening murphy is not the same as ripen a fruit . The tuber is eatable at all time , even when it ’s very small and young . It ’s just that you do n’t get much out of it . Similarly , curing them is only necessary to make them last longer , nothing to do with savor …
Actually , when you harvest , be ready to eat lots of potatoes for a workweek or two … Why ? As we say , you do n’t require to throw away those potatoes you have cut with your spade or pierced with fork . But you ca n’t store them either . So , the near affair to do is to run through them straight aside .
The response look on the clime ? You see potatoes are made to ride out in the dry land and provide the get-up-and-go for unexampled plants next class . So , in their natural surroundings , they can stay in the ground till spring , when they will sprout and produce many Modern plants …
But remember where they come up from ? South America , so … In most moderate nation they will not survive the wintertime . Water and humidity combined with cold will get the Irish potato to rot .
So , if you live in California , your potatoes will stay in the earth till give . If you last in Canada , just check that you harvest them before the frost frost , which in many cases is in fall …
Having said this , even if your potatoes may go till spring , it does not stand for that they will be as nutritive or even safe to eat . As presently as the plant dies , the potato starts to lose some effectiveness …
But what ’s more , as before long as the white potato vine sprout , it will lose lots of intensity level , nutrients , size and even texture , and you may end up with half empty “ husk ” .
utterly not ! Only wash off potatoes before cooking them … You see , a second of “ shit ” ( soil ) on the Irish potato help it preserve better …
But it also maintain its tang pack in . As soon as you wash off them , the skin will become more liable to weather damage and the tang will start becoming blander …
in reality , permit me share a enigma from top chef … Even when you buy potatoes , but them with “ soil ” on them , a top chef would never even look a those clean ones …
Potatoes, Growing, Harvesting, Curing, Storing and Tradition
Now you eff when and how to reap different type of potatoes , how to cure them and how to put in them .
But you bang what ? While with many vegetables methodology and techniques have changed a lot , for Irish potato the one-time traditional agency are still in utilisation … And they are still the good …
I keep update my knowledge all the fourth dimension . But these , with fragile improvements , are still the method my granddaddy used !
write By
Amber Noyes was born and raise in a suburban California town , San Mateo . She holds a professional ’s degree in horticulture from the University of California as well as a BS in Biology from the University of San Francisco . With experience working on an organic farm , water conservation research , husbandman ’ markets , and flora nursery , she understands what makes plants thrive and how we can better sympathize the connectedness between microclimate and plant wellness . When she ’s not on the land , Amber loves inform the great unwashed of new musical theme / things related to gardening , especially constitutive horticulture , houseplants , and growing works in a small space .
