If you’ve been thinking about growing crops in the cooler months, then you’ve probably wondered at least once if you can grow potatoes in winter. We don’t blame you.
Surprisingly, potatoes can be grown in winter as long as there’s enough light and protection from extremely cold temperatures. You can also grow potatoes during the winter season if you live in warmer climates.
But if you don’t, there’s no need to be discouraged. You can grow them indoors or place them in a heated greenhouse during the winter season.
Benefits of Winter Potato Gardening
Winter potato gardening may seem unusual and may not be for everyone, but it has several perks. If you’re thinking about growing spuds during chilly seasons, here are some great benefits.
Fresh Flavor
Homegrown potatoes taste better than store-bought ones. Plus, you get to experience the taste of untreated potatoes grown in your own backyard.
Extended Harvest
You can enjoy fresh potatoes in the colder months. Who doesn’t like cozy potato dishes to keep us warm as we battle winter’s chill?
Pest Control
Winter gardening reduces common pests and diseases. That’s because they are usually in hibernation.
Unique Varieties
Cold-tolerant potato varieties come in various colors. You get to pick what you want to grow even in the dead of winter.
Sustainability
It’s a sustainable way to use your garden year-round. This means you get the most use of your garden even when it’s supposed to be resting for the season.
Learning Opportunity
You get to experiment with different techniques. After growing potatoes in the winter, you get to be more confident in your gardening skills.
Year-Round Gardening
Enjoy gardening even in winter. Instead of working against nature, learn to work with it!
Self-Sufficiency
Grow your food at home. Seriously, there’s nothing more satisfying than harvesting your own food at the convenience of your time and space.
Cost Savings
You get to reduce grocery bills. Plus, you won’t have to take the bus or drive to get your potato fix.
Freshness and Quality
Harvest at the peak of flavor. Learn to enjoy how a true mature potato tastes at its peak.
What You Need to Know About Growing Potatoes in the Winter
When it comes to growing potatoes during the colder months, it’s all about knowing which variety to cultivate. Right after that, you’ll need to provide the right care.
We’ve listed our best practices to help you navigate the chilly season so you can harvest your potatoes just in time for the holidays! Think mashed potatoes, creamy casseroles, and crispy latkes.
Choosing the Right Potato Varieties
When it comes to potatoes, we’ve got great choices for you to pick from. Let’s go through them to see which ones work for you!
Yukon Gold
| Attribute | Description |
| Ease of Growing | Moderate ●●○○○ |
| Average Size | Medium |
| Estimated Growing Time | 90 to 120 days |
| Suggested Dishes | Mashed potatoes, potato salad, french fries |
These golden-skinned potatoes are renowned for their creamy texture and rich taste. They hold up well in chilly weather, making them a dependable pick for winter gardening.
Russet Burbank
| Attribute | Description |
| Ease of Growing | Easy to Moderate ●●○○○ |
| Average Size | Large |
| Estimated Growing Time | 100 to 120 days |
| Suggested Dishes | Baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, fries |
Known for their high starch content, Russet Burbank potatoes are ideal for baking and mashing. They also handle cooler temperatures gracefully, making them suitable for winter growth.
Red Norland
| Attribute | Description |
| Ease of Growing | Easy ●○○○○ |
| Average Size | Small to Medium |
| Estimated Growing Time | 70 to 90 days |
| Suggested Dishes | Roasted potatoes, potato salad, boiled potatoes |
If you prefer waxy spuds, Red Norland potatoes have smooth red skin and flavorful flesh that make them a hit. This variety matures relatively quickly, a benefit in shorter winter growing seasons.
Carola
| Attribute | Description |
| Ease of Growing | Moderate ●●○○○ |
| Average Size | Medium |
| Estimated Growing Time | 90 to 120 days |
| Suggested Dishes | Roasted potatoes, potato gratin, hash browns |
Prized for their exceptional flavor and kitchen versatility, Carola potatoes feature golden-yellow flesh and perform reasonably well in colder conditions.
Adirondack Blue
| Attribute | Description |
| Ease of Growing | Moderate ●●○○○ |
| Average Size | Medium |
| Estimated Growing Time | 90 to 120 days |
| Suggested Dishes | Roasted potatoes, potato salad, mashed potatoes |
For a unique twist, consider Adirondack Blue potatoes. These vibrant, blue-skinned spuds not only catch the eye but also resist cold temperatures effectively, adding a splash of color to your winter garden.
Katahdin
| Attribute | Description |
| Ease of Growing | Easy ●○○○○ |
| Average Size | Large |
| Estimated Growing Time | 80 to 100 days |
| Suggested Dishes | Baked potatoes, potato wedges, hash browns |
Katahdin potatoes, a classic American variety, yield reliably and fend off diseases. They thrive in cooler weather, offering a steady choice for winter potato cultivation.
Belmonda
| Attribute | Description |
| Ease of Growing | Easy ●○○○○ |
| Average Size | Medium |
| Estimated Growing Time | 70 to 90 days |
| Suggested Dishes | Potato salad, roasted potatoes |
With a rounded oval shape, yellow skin, and flesh, Belmonda produces high yields. It’s ideal for new potatoes, and the tubers store well after harvest.
Fingerling Potatoes
| Attribute | Description |
| Ease of Growing | Moderate ●●○○○ |
| Average Size | Small to Medium |
| Estimated Growing Time | 110 to 130 days |
| Suggested Dishes | Roasted fingerling potatoes, potato salad, gratin |
Fingerling varieties are available in different colors and shapes, offer a distinct, nutty flavor. Though they take a bit longer to mature, their cold resistance makes them a valuable choice for winter garden enthusiasts.
Red Gold
| Attribute | Description |
| Ease of Growing | Easy ●○○○○ |
| Average Size | Medium-Large |
| Estimated Growing Time | 80 to 100 days |
| Suggested Dishes | Roasted potatoes, potato soup, potato salad |
Sporting a round shape, light red skin, and yellow flesh, Red Gold provides generous yields. It’s a superb option for new potatoes, though storage duration is shorter compared to other varieties.
Preparing Your Garden for Winter Cultivation
When it comes to getting winter gardening ready, you’ll have to think of a few things like the soil, sunlight, and protection. Let’s get into the details now, shall we?
Soil Preparation
Check your soil quality as potatoes grow best in well-draining, fertile soil. Clear the planting area of weeds, rocks, and debris.
Test your soil’s pH and adjust it to the 5.8 to 6.5 range if needed. Mix in compost or well-rotted manure for better soil structure and nutrients.
Raised Beds and Containers
Use raised beds or containers in regions with heavy winter rain to prevent waterlogging.
If using containers, pick large ones with drainage holes.
Mulch for Insulation
Apply a thick layer of materials like straw, hay, leaves, or shredded newspaper around your potato plants to keep the soil warmer during cold spells.
Sunlight and Placement
Choose a sunny garden spot with at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.
Frost Protection
Protect your potato plants from frost with frost cloth or covers during freezing nights. Use garden stakes or other structures for support.
Proper Spacing
Follow spacing guidelines for your potato variety to avoid overcrowding and diseases.
Watering and Drainage
Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogged conditions that can lead to root rot. Ensure good drainage as well.
Planting Potatoes in Winter
| Factor | Description |
| Expertise Level | Moderate ●●○○○ |
| Estimated Costs | Low |
| Maintenance | Moderate |
Now that you’ve seen growing potatoes is possible during winter, here’s how you can do it.
How to Plant Potatoes in Winter
1. Pick the right time.
Check your local gardening calendar or contact your extension office. Usually, late summer to early fall works best.
2. Choose good-quality, certified disease-free seed potatoes from a reliable source.
Before planting, cut larger seed potatoes into smaller pieces, each with at least one “eye” or sprout. Let them air dry for a day or two to prevent rot.
3. Prepare your garden bed or containers.
Dig trenches about 3 to 4 inches deep. Place seed potato pieces with the sprout facing up in the trench, spacing them 8 to 10 inches apart.
Cover the seed potatoes with soil, gradually mounding soil around the stems as they grow to encourage tuber development.
4. Keep an eye on soil temperature.
Ideally, it should be between 45 to 55 F for planting to prevent premature sprouting.
5. Water properly.
After planting, water the soil thoroughly to settle it around the seed potatoes. Maintain consistent soil moisture throughout the growing season, avoiding excessively soggy conditions.
Water in the early part of the day to allow any excess moisture to evaporate, reducing the risk of frost damage during colder nights.
6. Mulch for protection.
Apply a layer of mulch around your potato plants to insulate the soil and shield against temperature fluctuations, especially during cold spells.
7. Give your potato plants get enough sunlight, even in winter.
Although less intense, sunlight is crucial for photosynthesis and growth.
8. Monitor and maintain potato growth.
Regularly check your potato plants for weeds and remove them to prevent competition for nutrients and space.
Continue mounding soil around the stems to support tuber development and shield them from light exposure, which can cause greening.
Harvesting Winter Potatoes
| Factor | Description |
| Expertise Level | Moderate ●●○○○ |
| Estimated Costs | Minimal, mainly for basic gardening tools. |
| Possible Risks | Crop damage due to frozen soil, bruising during handling. |
The spuds of your efforts are now ready to be picked! Here’s how you can do it.
How to Harvest Winter Potatoes
1. Harvest at the right time.
Harvest your winter potatoes before the ground freezes too deeply. Frozen soil can harm or destroy your crop.
Start harvesting when your potato plants have completed their growth cycle, typically indicated by their yellowing and dying back, usually occurring around 90 to 120 days after planting.
2. Dig up the potatoes.
Use a garden fork or a spade for harvesting your winter potatoes. Insert the tool a few inches away from the plant base to avoid harming the tubers.
Lift the soil and the potato plant cautiously from beneath. Shake off excess soil, but avoid brushing or scrubbing the potatoes, as their skin is delicate.
3. Treat potatoes gently and allow to cure.
Freshly harvested potatoes are more susceptible to bruising and damage right after being dug up. Allow the potatoes to air-dry for a few hours to toughen their skin, which helps in storage.
4. Check for quality.
While harvesting, carefully examine your potatoes for any signs of damage or disease. Set aside any damaged or infected tubers for immediate use.
Healthy potatoes should have firm skin without soft spots. If you find any with green patches, trim those areas, as they may contain a bitter compound called solanine.
5. Store potatoes properly.
Keep them in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place, ideally between 40 to 45 F. Avoid refrigerating potatoes, as the cold can convert their starches into sugars, affecting taste and texture.
Use wooden crates, burlap sacks, or ventilated plastic bags for storage.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Growing potatoes in winter comes with its rewards but also unique challenges. Let’s address some of these possible issues so you’ll be better prepared to handle them.
Frost Damage
Winter nights often bring frost that can harm potato plants, turning leaves black and causing tubers to rot. Protect your plants by covering them with frost cloth, row covers, or blankets on cold nights to maintain a stable temperature.
Overwatering or Waterlogging
Winter can lead to overwatering, resulting in waterlogged soil and root rot. Monitor soil moisture and water only when it’s dry about an inch below the surface.
Make sure there’s proper drainage in your garden or containers.
Disease and Pest Management
Winter conditions can encourage diseases and pests like late blight or aphids. Regularly check for signs of trouble, remove affected plant material, and consider organic pesticides or disease-resistant potato varieties.
Inadequate Sunlight
Shorter winter daylight hours can limit sunlight for your potatoes. Select a sunny planting location or use reflective mulch and mirrors to redirect sunlight.
Soil Temperature Fluctuations
Winter brings soil temperature fluctuations, which may not suit potato growth. Apply mulch to insulate the soil and provide a stable environment for your potatoes.
Pest Protection
Rodents like voles and mice may damage your crop in winter. Use traps or barriers for pest control and consider planting rodent-repelling plants like garlic nearby.
Early Sprouting
Potato seed pieces can sprout prematurely due to warm spells in late winter. Plant with adequate soil coverage, or use frost cloth and row covers for protection during warm periods.
