When to Harvest Potatoes: New and Storage Potatoes
How to tell when potatoes are ready, harvesting new potatoes after flowering, main-crop potatoes after the foliage dies, potatoes in bags, and curing for storage.
Harvest new potatoes when the plants start flowering, about 60–90 days after planting. For storage potatoes, wait until the foliage turns yellow and dies back, then leave the tubers in the ground another 2 weeks so the skins toughen before digging.
Signs Potatoes Are Ready
- New potatoes: flowers open; tubers are small with thin skins.
- Main crop: foliage has died back; skins don't rub off when pressed with a thumb.
How to Harvest
- Choose a dry day.
- Start digging 30 cm from the stem with a fork to avoid spearing tubers.
- Lift the plant and sift the soil for every tuber; leftover tubers spread disease.
- Do not wash potatoes you plan to store.
Potatoes in Bags and Containers
When foliage yellows and dies, tip the container out onto a tarp and collect the tubers.
Curing
Leave potatoes in a dark, airy place at about 10–15 °C (50–60 °F) for 10–14 days to heal small wounds and thicken skins before storing.
More Potato Guides
- How to Grow Potatoes: The Complete Guide
- How to store potatoes
- Why potatoes are small
- Potato fertilizer
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you harvest potatoes before they flower?
Yes, but tubers will be very small; some varieties never flower, so check by gently digging.
What happens if you leave potatoes in the ground too long?
They may be damaged by wireworms, slugs or frost, or start rotting in wet soil.
TarlaTapan guides focus on practical, field-tested growing advice. Corrections and suggestions are welcome at info@tarlatapan.tr.