Solanum tuberosum

Potato

A practical guide to growing potato in the home garden.

Growing profiles

Choose how this crop will be grown. Dimensions, spacing and timing belong to the selected profile—not to the species as a single universal value.

First early potato

Early-maturing potato occupying the bed for a shorter season.

Biological height
40–80 cm (16–31 in) Source
Mature canopy
30–60 cm (12–24 in) Source
Plant spacing
23–35 cm (9–14 in) Source
Row spacing
60–90 cm (24–35 in) Source
Layout
single row · open ground Source
Support
Usually unnecessary
Container
At least 38 L (10 US gal) · 1 plant Source
Best germination temperature
Not established Source

Climate-relative calendar

Planning estimates become local dates after the gardener supplies frost dates and current conditions. Harvest and crop-removal dates are estimates: actual crop condition takes priority.

Plant Potato28 days before last spring frost to last spring frost SourceSourceRecommended: Soil temperature at least 4 °C (39 °F) for 3 consecutive days. Source
Earth up potato plants28 days after plant potato to 35 days after plant potato Source
Begin harvesting Potato70 days after sowing to 100 days after sowing Source
Finish harvesting Potato14 days after first harvest to 28 days after first harvest
Remove Potato cropthe expected end of harvest to 7 days after the expected end of harvest

Maincrop potato

Longer-season potato grown for larger yield and storage.

Biological height
60–100 cm (24–39 in) Source
Mature canopy
45–75 cm (18–30 in) Source
Plant spacing
30–45 cm (12–18 in) Source
Row spacing
75–100 cm (30–39 in) Source
Layout
single row · open ground Source
Support
Usually unnecessary
Container
At least 57 L (15.1 US gal) · 1 plant Source
Best germination temperature
Not established Source

Climate-relative calendar

Planning estimates become local dates after the gardener supplies frost dates and current conditions. Harvest and crop-removal dates are estimates: actual crop condition takes priority.

Plant Potato21 days before last spring frost to 7 days after last spring frost SourceSourceRecommended: Soil temperature at least 4 °C (39 °F) for 3 consecutive days. Source
Earth up potato plants28 days after plant potato to 35 days after plant potato Source
Begin harvesting Potato100 days after sowing to 130 days after sowing Source
Finish harvesting Potato14 days after first harvest to 28 days after first harvest
Remove Potato cropthe expected end of harvest to 7 days after the expected end of harvest

Agronomy release agronomy-2026-07-11-r1 · reviewed 2026-07-11 by Gardeningist agronomic research synthesis. Each fact links to its supporting source.

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