Potatoes are a staple in just about every home gardener’s patch. If you’re wondering exactly when to get those spuds in the dirt and when to dig them up, you’ve come to the right place!
When to plant early potatoes
The secret to a great harvest starts early! In February, you’ll want to start chitting (pre-sprouting) your seed potatoes. After about six weeks of sprouting indoors, give them a few days outside to harden off and get used to the cooler air. Once they’re acclimated, you can start planting them out in the garden, usually starting in March. Just make sure the soil is frost-free and the air temperature is at least 46°F (8°C).
Covering your early potatoes
To give your plants a little boost in March and April, try covering your garden bed with garden fleece, plastic film, or straw. This extra warmth helps them grow much faster. Don’t forget to dig furrows between your rows—you’ll need that extra soil for “hilling” (mounding soil around the stems) as they grow. On sunny days, the temperature under plastic film can skyrocket, which really speeds up growth. However, keep an eye on the weather; if it gets too hot, you’ll want to remove the covers (usually by mid-May) so the plants don’t overheat.
Growing early potatoes on the balcony
Don’t have a big backyard? No problem! Potatoes actually grow amazingly well in containers on a balcony. You just need a large pot (about 20 inches in diameter) or a dedicated potato grow bag. Just like in the garden, you can start planting in March. Keep your containers in a warm, sunny spot, and if the weather plays nice, you might even be harvesting by May! Pro tip: Make sure your pots have great drainage. Potatoes hate “wet feet,” and standing water is a surefire way to ruin your harvest.
When is it harvest time?
For early potatoes, the harvest window usually opens up between late May and June. If you’re growing “maincrop” potatoes for winter storage, those need to stay in the ground much longer—at least until mid-August. Depending on the variety, you can actually keep harvesting all the way into November. Always check your specific potato variety, as some need more time in the sun than others.
How to tell they’re ready
For most potatoes, the rule of thumb is to harvest once the leafy green tops have withered and died back. This is the signal that the skins have set, which is what you want for long-term storage. Early potatoes are a bit different, though! We love them because they are tender and fresh. You can actually start digging those up as soon as the plant finishes its first bloom.
