Do you love harvesting potatoes? Imagine digging into the soil and unearthing perfectly formed golden potatoes! That too with bursting flavor! Great! Stay with us to know the top techniques to harvest potatoes successfully. when to harvest potatoes 

Harvesting your crop has a certain magic.  It’s a vibe that only gardeners can understand.But remember timing is everything. Harvest too early, and you’ll be left with tiny, underdeveloped tubers. Harvest too early, and your potatoes may start to spoil. 

So, how do you know the perfect moment to dig up your bounty? This article will guide in detail to understand the key signs and secrets to ensure you harvest your potatoes at their peak that gives you the freshest and most delicious results. 

When Do You Harvest Potatoes? 

If you want to achieve the best results knowing the right time to harvest potatoes is essential for you. Potatoes harvested too early remain small and lack flavor. On the other hand, those harvested too late become overripe, with split skin that invites diseases. Hence, Harvesting potatoes at the right time is very important. 

Harvesting potatoes depends on two conditions: 

• The variety you’re growing. 
• Your local growing conditions. 

Growth is a painful and long process. Everyone has their own pace of growth. Right? The same is true for potatoes. Generally, there are three types of potatoes, each with its own maturation period: 

• Early potatoes.
• Mid-season potatoes.
• Late-season potatoes.  

Types of Potato	Varieties	Maturity time	Characteristics
Early Potatoes	Red Norlan.  Yukon Gold.	60-90 days.	Small tender skin.  Often enjoyed as new potatoes.
Mid-season Potatoes	Kenne Bec.  Blue Adiron Dack.	90-120 days.	Larger.  Suitable for long storage.
Late-season potatoes	Russet Burbank.  German Butterball.	120-135 days.	Thicker skin.  Ideal for long-term storage.

How Long Does It Take for Potatoes to Grow? 

As stated above, most potato varieties need about 90-120 days to reach maturity and be ready for harvest. However, some exceptional potatoes like Yukun gold can be ready in 75 days. At the same time, some of our favourites, like Russet potatoes, which give us our delicious baked potatoes, can take up to 135 days. You know better; good things take time!!! 

If the growth time of potatoes makes you impatient, remind yourself that the potatoes have to grow underground and above ground stems. They have to form half a dozen duplicates of themselves at the edge of those underground stems. Internalise the process and imagine putting yourself in the shoes of potatoes. You’ll realize that the process isn’t just about growing but ensuring that each tuber develops properly to provide you with a plentiful harvest. 

While this is an ideal time required for potato growth. It is important keep an eye on the following factors to ensure the smooth growth of potatoes:

• Soil Quality.
• Watering Practices. 
• Temperature. 

Monitoring these conditions and keeping track of your planting dates will help you determine the best time to harvest.

Three Signs That Your Potatoes Are Ready to Harvest:

You’re Nearing the Days to Harvest For the Type of Potatoes You’re Growing: 

Each variety of potato has a specific number of days to maturity. Check the growing information from the company you purchased your seed potatoes from. They should tell you the harvest time for the variety you want to grow. Since you know different potatoes have different harvesting times, it’s good to have atleast an idea of how much time your potato seed will take. However, remember that this expected time frame is for an ideal condition. 

Keeping a planting calendar and knowing the expected harvest period for your variety is crucial. 

Here’s a more detailed guide for popular varieties:

• Early Potatoes:  60-90 days (e.g., ‘Red Norland’, ‘Yukon Gold’)
• Mid-Season Potatoes: 90-120 days (e.g., ‘Kennebec’, ‘Blue Adirondack’)
• Late-Season Potatoes: 120-135 days (e.g., ‘Russet Burbank’, ‘German Butterball’)

As you approach the expected maturity date, start checking for the next two signs.

The Leaves of Potatoes Turn Brown and Papery: 

One of the most reliable indicators that potatoes are ready to harvest is the condition of the plant’s foliage. It’s the perfect time when your buried treasure can be dug up. Potatoes are mature when the leaves and stems begin to die back:

Leaf Color Change: 

Leaves turn from green to yellow and then brown.  These fragile and pale yellow to brown leaves don’t go for photosynthesis and eventually die. 

Leaf Texture Change: 

Leaves become dry and papery to the touch.

Stem Collapse: 

Stems may begin to fall over and look wilted. You’ll also notice that the leaves are dropping towards the ground. 

If your potatoes are starting to lose their bright colour, lean over and become dry to the touch, you’re probably a couple of weeks away from the harvest. Smile! Because your potatoes are finishing up. But remember, now is a great time to stop watering your plant so that the tubers can get tougher. 

This die-back process indicates that the plant has finished transferring energy to the tubers and that they have reached their full size. 

The Skin of Potatoes Become Thick and Firm: 

The great thing about potato crops is that you can dig a couple up, check them for harvest and cover them right back with dirt if they’re not ready. 

What Tools Do You Need to Harvest Potatoes from Different Growing Methods?

If your plants are in the ground, you need a pitchfork or a large shovel to harvest your first set of potatoes. 

If they are growing in a container or barrel or a grow bag, you can probably just use your hands to pull them up, especially if the plant is still intact.  

A practical test to confirm that your potatoes are ready for harvest involves checking the skin:

• Skin Test: Gently rub the skin of a potato with your thumb.
• Thin Skin: If the skin is thin and rubs off easily. The potatoes need more time for harvesting. You have to wait patiently. 
• Thick Skin: If the skin is thick and does not rub off. Congrats your potatoes are ready to harvest. 

Testing a few potatoes from different parts of your garden can give you a good indication of whether your entire crop is ready. 

Harvesting New Potatoes and Determining Maturity: 

Do an inspection of the first spuds. A mature potato has thick, firm flesh. Please keep in mind that if the skin is too delicate and can be easily rubbed off with your thumb, those potatoes aren’t finished yet. Now, what can you do? You can go ahead and harvest these new potatoes. You won’t cure them and should eat them ASAP. 

Root crops with delicate skins are not storage material. It’s a good idea to leave the rest of the potatoes in the ground for a while longer. 

Please remember the fact that actual potato size is not a good indicator of the plant’s maturity. Some spuds might not grow in size according to your expectations, but if the plan is dead, they are done growing. You need to harvest them within a week or two. 

Post-Harvest Handling: 

After all this hard work you have done, it is important to know the Post-Harvest Handling practices to ensure quality and the best storage techniques. If you don’t follow the proper Post-Harvest techniques it can decrease the shelf life of your potatoes and even cause spoilage or shrinkage of your products. But you do not need to worry; here are six ultimate steps for the optimal Post-Harvest process that will help you maximise the shelf-life of your potatoes: 

• Sort and clean your potatoes to minimise microbial contamination.
• Ensure a safe storage process to protect the integrity of your potatoes. 
• Ensure proper pre-cooling to prolong the shelf life of your potatoes. 
• Ensure proper storage with appropriate temperature and humidity. The ideal storage temperature for potatoes is around 45-50°F (7-10°C) 
• Check regularly for the signs of spoilage. 
• Remove any damaged or rotting potatoes immediately to prevent spreading. 

What are common mistakes to avoid when harvesting potatoes? 

A single mistake can destroy your whole hard work destroy. It’s very important to follow standard harvesting procedures and avoid common mistakes to get the best potato yield: 

• Early Harvesting: If you do early harvesting, this can result in small, underdeveloped potatoes. 
• Late Harvesting: Late harvesting can cause overripe potatoes. The potatoes can become soft and sprout. So you should keep checking the potatoes to harvest on time. 
• Handling Errors: Rough handling can cause bruising and damage to the potatoes. So you should handle your potatoes with great care. Because even a minor glitch can give you tough time. 

What are the tips to maximise potato yield? 

The following proven techniques  can help you maximise your product yield:

Fertilisation: 

Use balanced fertilisers during the growth season to ensure that the potatoes get the desired nutrition to grow. 

Watering Practices: 

Water is life! It is equally important for plants, humans and animals. So water your potato plant regularly. Maintain consistent moisture and avoid over or under-watering. 

Pest Control: 

Pests can damage the quality of your potatoes. Use proper and certified pesticides to control pests in your crop to ensure the good health of your potatoes. 

These steps ensure maximum potato yield with the best quality.

More info: Planting Potatoes The Ideal Growing Process and Storage Tips

FAQs 

1 When Are Potatoes Ready To Harvest? 

Potatoes are generally ready to harvest when the plants have died back and the skins of the tubers are firm. The specific timing varies by variety and growing conditions.

2 How to Know When Potatoes Are Ready to Harvest? 

Look for the three key signs: approaching the days to harvest for your potato variety, browning and papery leaves, and thick, firm skin on the potatoes.

3  When Are Sweet Potatoes Ready To Harvest? 

Sweet potatoes usually mature 90-120 days after planting. Key signs include yellowing leaves and firm skin on the tubers. 

4 When to harvest potatoes in pots? 

For potatoes grown in pots, follow the same signs of maturity: days to harvest, browning leaves, and firm skin. Additionally, check if the pot is becoming root-bound or if the plant is struggling due to the confined space. 

5 When to harvest potatoes in bags? 

Harvesting potatoes in bags follows the same principles as in-ground or pot-grown potatoes. Ensure the plants have died back and the skins are firm. Harvest carefully to avoid damaging the tubers. 

Conclusion: 

Harvesting potatoes at the right time is key to enjoying a bountiful and high-quality crop. By observing the growth cycle and following the signs of readiness, you can ensure a successful harvest.