When it comes to potatoes, we don’t actually “sow” them like seeds—we plant the tubers directly into the soil. If you live in a warmer climate, you can get your sprouted seed potatoes in the ground as early as March. For those of us in cooler regions, it’s best to wait until mid-April to start planting.
Choosing the Right Potato Varieties
Potatoes are generally categorized by how long they take to reach maturity: very early, early, mid-season, and late-season varieties. But it’s not just about timing! You’ll also want to consider the color of the skin and flesh, as well as the texture. Whether they are waxy (firm), semi-starchy, or floury (starchy) makes a huge difference in the kitchen, determining if they’re better for a crisp potato salad or fluffy mashed potatoes.
The Perfect Spot for Your Spuds
As long as they have plenty of nutrients, potatoes are pretty easygoing. However, they’ll be happiest in loose, sandy-loam soil that warms up quickly in the spring. Early varieties don’t need quite as much room as the late-season types. If you’re tight on garden space, don’t worry! You can easily grow early potatoes in containers. Just make sure your pot holds at least 2.5 to 3 gallons of soil.
Don’t Forget Crop Rotation
Keeping an eye on crop rotation is super important in any veggie patch. Once you’ve harvested a crop of potatoes, you should wait at least three years before planting them in that same spot again. You’ll also want to avoid planting other nightshades (like peppers or tomatoes) there during that break to prevent diseases and stunted growth. If you’re looking for something to plant after your early potatoes are done, I recommend lettuce, bush beans, or Brussels sprouts. These also make fantastic garden neighbors! Plus, potatoes are great “pre-crops” because they leave the soil in excellent condition for whatever you plant next.
When to Plant
Early potatoes usually go into the ground between March and May, with a harvest window around June or July. Maincrop potatoes (the ones you store for winter) are planted in April or May and are ready to dig up from August through September.
How to Plant Your Potatoes
First, loosen up your soil well. Place your seed potatoes about 12 inches apart and cover them with about 2 inches of soil. Depending on the variety, you’ll want to leave about 20 to 30 inches between your rows. Once the shoots reach about 4 inches high, it’s time to start “hilling”—pulling soil up around the stems until you’ve created a mound or ridge about 8 inches high. This protects the tubers from sunlight and gives them plenty of room to grow!
