Growing potatoes offers unique satisfaction, culminating in the moment of harvest. Maximizing yield and ensuring the quality of this staple crop depends on precise timing and careful technique. Understanding the plant’s signals and employing the right methods directly influence the texture, flavor, and longevity of the harvested tubers in storage.
Timing the Harvest: Reading the Plant
The first decision is choosing between young, tender “new potatoes” or fully mature tubers intended for long-term storage. New potatoes are typically ready two to three weeks after the plants begin flowering, while the foliage is still green and vigorous. They have thin, delicate skins and are best consumed immediately rather than stored.
For a substantial harvest meant to last through the winter, wait until the plant naturally completes its growth cycle. The correct moment arrives two to three weeks after the potato vines have completely withered and died back. This period allows the potato skins to “set,” thickening and toughening them. This maturation prevents moisture loss and reduces susceptibility to bruising and decay during storage.
Preparing the Ground and Tools
Proper soil preparation involves manipulating the water content. About one to two weeks before the planned harvest date, discontinue all watering to allow the soil to dry out significantly. This drying helps further toughen the potato skins and prevents soil from sticking excessively to the harvested tubers.
Select a broad, blunt-tined garden fork instead of a sharp-edged shovel. The fork is designed to lift and loosen the soil structure while minimizing the risk of accidentally stabbing or slicing the potatoes. Using the correct implement prevents physical damage that shortens the storage life of the harvest.
The Digging Technique
Removing the potatoes requires precision to ensure the tubers remain intact. Begin by inserting the garden fork well outside the visible perimeter of the plant, typically 12 to 18 inches away from the main stem. This wide berth accounts for the tendency of stolons, the underground stems that form the potatoes, to spread laterally away from the central root ball.
Insert the fork straight down into the soil, leveraging the handle gently to lift and loosen the soil mass surrounding the potato cluster. Carefully break up the soil structure to expose the tubers rather than aggressively flipping the entire plant and dirt clod. Aggressive digging increases the likelihood of nicks, punctures, and bruising.
Once the main cluster is exposed, use your hands to gently separate the potatoes from the stolons and the remaining soil. Do not discard the excavated soil immediately, as many smaller tubers may have detached. Thoroughly sift and examine the loosened dirt to recover all hidden potatoes and maximize the total yield.
Post-Harvest Handling and Curing
After potatoes are lifted from the soil, they require specific handling to prepare them for storage. Gently brush off any large clumps of excess dirt clinging to the tubers; refrain from washing them with water. Moisture encourages the growth of bacteria and fungi, which can initiate decay during storage.
The next step is the curing process, a period of specialized conditioning that heals minor abrasions and strengthens the skin. Spread the potatoes in a single layer in a dark, humid, and well-ventilated location, ideally maintaining a temperature between 50°F and 60°F. This environment encourages suberization, a natural process where the potato forms a protective layer beneath any damaged skin.
Allow the potatoes to cure for 10 to 14 days before moving them to their final, cooler storage location. Curing effectively seals the potato, minimizing future water loss and thickening the periderm, the outer skin layer. This final conditioning step ensures the tubers maintain their quality and firmness for several months.