Potatoes grow underground, so figuring out the right time to dig them up can feel tricky.
You want fresh, tasty potatoes, not ones that rot or taste bad.
Today, you will have the answers to the question: How do you know when to dig up potatoes?
We’ll cover signs to watch, steps to take, and tips to store them.
Let’s dig in!
First, we will start with the main question and the straightforward answer.
🥔How do you know when to dig up potatoes?
For new potatoes (baby potatoes), harvest when the plant flowers, about 60-90 days after planting—look for golf-ball-sized tubers with thin skin.
For mature potatoes, wait until the leaves turn yellow and die back, around 90-120 days; rub one to check—the skin should be thick and firm. Dig on a dry day before the first hard frost, and for mature ones, cure them in a cool, dark spot for two weeks before storing. That’s it—fresh or stored, you’ve got perfect potatoes!
Why Timing Matters🕗
Potatoes need the right harvest time.
Dig too early, and they stay small.
Dig too late, and frost or bugs ruin them.
The plant gives clues, and the potatoes show signs.
You can get new potatoes for eating now or mature ones for storing later.
Each type has its own harvest rules.
Two Types of Potatoes 🥔
Potatoes come in two main kinds: new potatoes and mature potatoes.
Knowing which you want helps you pick the perfect time.
- New Potatoes: These are young. People eat them fresh. They have thin skin and a sweet taste.
- Mature Potatoes: These are fully grown. People store them for months. They have thick skin and last longer.
When to Dig Up New Potatoes
New potatoes taste great in summer dishes.
You dig them up early. Here’s how to know when:
Look at the Flowers
The plant blooms with small flowers.
This happens 60 to 90 days after planting.
When you see flowers, new potatoes are ready.
Dig up a few and check their size.
They should look like small eggs.
Check the Size
You want new potatoes about 1 to 2 inches wide.
Use a fork to lift one plant.
If they’re tiny, wait a week.
If they’re big enough, harvest what you need.
Leave the rest to grow.
Act Fast
New potatoes don’t store well.
Eat them within days.
Their thin skin breaks easily, so handle them gently.
When to Dig Up Mature Potatoes 🥔
Mature potatoes fill your pantry for winter.
They need more time.
Here’s how to spot the right moment:
✔️Watch the Leaves
The potato plant’s leaves turn yellow.
They wilt and die back.
This shows the potatoes are done growing.
It takes 90 to 120 days, depending on the type.
When most leaves look dead, check the tubers.
✔️Test the Skin
Dig up one potato.
Rub it with your thumb.
Does the skin peel off?
Wait longer.
Does the skin stay firm?
They’re ready.
Thick skin means they store well.
✔️Stop Watering
Two weeks before harvest, stop watering.
Dry soil toughens the skin.
This step keeps potatoes fresh for months.
✔️Pick a Dry Day
Rain makes mud.
Mud sticks to potatoes and spreads rot.
Choose a sunny, dry day to dig.
Your harvest stays clean and safe.
✔️Beat the Frost
Frost hurts potatoes.
A light frost (above 29°F / below 0°C) won’t harm tubers underground.
A hard frost (below 28°F / -2°C) can ruin them.
Dig before the first hard frost hits.
Check your local weather for late summer or early fall dates.
Potato Types and Their Timing 🥔
Different potatoes grow at different speeds.
Type |
Days to Harvest |
Best Use |
|---|---|---|
Early (like Red Pontiac) |
60–80 days |
New potatoes |
Mid-Season (like Yukon Gold) |
80–100 days |
New or mature |
Late (like Russet) |
100–130 days |
Mature, for storage |
Pick your type based on when you want potatoes.
Early types give quick meals.
Late types stock your shelves.
Quick Potato Harvest Guide
Ready to dig?
Follow these simple steps:
- Check the Signs: Look at flowers for new potatoes or dead leaves for mature ones.
- Test a Plant: Use a fork. Lift one hill. Rub the skin to see if it’s ready.
- Grab a Tool: A garden fork works best. Dig 6 inches from the plant to avoid cuts.
- Lift Gently: Push the fork under the plant. Lift the soil. Shake off dirt.
- Collect Potatoes: Pick up tubers. Brush off loose soil. Don’t wash yet.
- Leave Some: Want more later? Take a few and let the rest grow (for new potatoes).
For pots, dump the soil on a tarp.
Pick out the potatoes.
Easy!
🕗What Affects Timing?
Weather and soil change when potatoes ripen.
Here’s what to know:
- Hot Summers: Heat speeds growth. Check plants sooner.
- Cool Weather: Cold slows them down. Wait a bit longer.
- Soil Type: Loose, sandy soil grows potatoes fast. Heavy clay takes more time.
Plant in soil with a pH of 5.8 to 6.5.
Good drainage helps too.
Ask your seed seller for exact days for your type.
After the Dig
Curing Potatoes
You dug them up.
Now what?
Curing keeps mature potatoes fresh.
Here’s how:
✅Dry Them First
Spread potatoes on the ground for a few hours.
Sun dries wet soil.
Don’t leave them out overnight—dew wets them again.
✅Cure for Two Weeks
Put potatoes in a dark place.
Keep it cool (45–60°F / 7°C–15°C) and damp (85–95% humidity).
A basement or garage works.
Cover them with a cloth to block light.
This step heals cuts and thickens skin.
✅Store Them Right
After curing, move potatoes to a cool spot (40–45°F / 4°C–7°C).
Use a box or bag with holes.
Keep them dark.
Light turns them green and bitter.
Cured potatoes last 6 to 8 months.
Uncured ones last 2 to 3 months.
🍟Fun Potato Facts
Potatoes aren’t just food—they’re cool too!
Here are some bits to enjoy:
- Over 200 kinds exist worldwide. Some are purple!
- One plant gives 5 to 10 potatoes. A good year means 7 pounds from a pot.
- People first grew potatoes in Peru 7,000 years ago. Now, they’re everywhere.
Try growing a weird type next time.
It’s a tasty surprise!
❌Common Mistakes to Avoid
New gardeners mess up sometimes.
Don’t do these:
- Digging Too Early: Small potatoes disappoint. Wait for the signs.
- Washing Right Away: Water spreads rot. Brush dirt off and cure first.
- Leaving Them in Frost: Cold ruins tubers. Check the forecast.
- Rough Handling: Bruises lead to rot. Be gentle.
Your Harvest Calendar
Plan your dig with this guide:
- Spring: Plant 3–4 weeks before the last frost.
- Summer: Dig new potatoes when flowers bloom (June–July).
- Late Summer/Fall: Dig mature potatoes when leaves die (August–October).
Adjust for your area.
Hot places ripen faster.
Cold ones take longer.
🍟Why You’ll Love Planting Potatoes
Digging potatoes feels like a treasure hunt.
You stick a fork in the dirt, and boom—food pops out!
Plus, homegrown tastes better than store-bought.
New potatoes melt in your mouth.
Mature ones roast up crispy.
You control the flavor and save cash.
The Final Tips
Still unsure about potatoes?
Here’s a quick recap list:
- Watch the plant—flowers or dead leaves tell you when.
- Rub a potato—firm skin means mature.
- Dig on a dry day—mud’s no fun.
- Cure for storage—skip this, and they rot fast.
Got a question? Leave them in a comment below, our community will share the information you need 🙂
Test one plant.
It won’t lie.
Now grab that fork and dig.
Your potatoes are waiting!
Bringing you the best tips to help you build your own emergency survival garden at home – and stay healthy. Thank you for coming by.
