Potato Growing Guide | Gardeningist

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 Source SourceRecommended: 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 Source SourceRecommended: 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.

← Back to all plants