How Long Does It Take to Grow Potatoes? (And How to Speed Up the Process)

Growing potatoes is a lesson in blind faith. While a dangling tomato or deepening red pepper provides visible assurance that something edible is on its way, the potato lies beneath the ground, requiring water, weeding, and a patient hand. Despite its stealthy existence, these spuds are one of the most rewarding vegetables to grow.

To help guide you, we asked a few potato experts how long it takes these vegetables to grow, and how to speed up the process—without compromising on size or flavor. Let’s dig in.

How Long Does It Take Potatoes to Grow?

Most potatoes are ready to harvest 75 to 120 days after planting, though specifics vary widely by variety and climate. Potatoes fall into three maturity groups. Early-season varieties—your best bet for a faster crop—take as little as 75 to 90 days.

Here are a few early-season varieties to consider.

• Swift: One of the earliest varieties, ready to harvest as little as 60 to 70 days. These white-skinned tubers have a low-growing habit that’s ideal for containers and small gardens.
• Russet Burbank: The classic Idaho potato, with its dark brown skin, is the most widely grown potato in the U.S. It can be induced to mature faster with adequate moisture. 
• Yukon Gold: A popular, yellow-fleshed variety known for its buttery flavor and creamy texture. It’s the ideal specimen for mashed potatoes or creamy gratins. 
• Red Norland: Large, rounded potatoes known for their deep red skins and bright white flesh. They are high-yielding, scab-resistant, and have an almost sweet taste. 
• Irish Cobbler: This is among the oldest varieties being grown today, known for its light brown skin and floury texture. Great for boiled or fried potatoes.

How to Speed Up the Process

The fastest path to a quicker potato harvest is to choose the right variety from the start. Eric Schroeder, a fifth-generation potato farmer at Schroeder Brothers Farms, recommends sticking to early-season varieties.

These potatoes will be ready to harvest within 75 to 90 days—it's a better option than trying to push a slower variety along. "Adding excessive fertilizer and water will just cause problems," he says.

Seed quality matters just as much as variety. Schroeder recommends opting for certified seed potatoes, which can be purchased at your local garden center. If you live in a potato-growing region, then you can also purchase them from seed farms or wholesalers.

Timing your planting comes down to soil temperature. Potatoes are typically planted in spring, though an early fall planting can yield a winter harvest. Either way, wait until the soil has reached at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit before planting. Cold, wet soil can cause seed potatoes to rot.

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How to Care for Potatoes

The fundamentals of potato care go a long way toward a speedy and healthy harvest. “Potatoes actually are a fairly easy crop to grow. All you need is full sun (at least six to eight hours) and loose, fertile soil,” says Gail Pothour, a master gardener with the University of California Cooperative Extension in Sacramento County. 

Pothour recommends well-drained, slightly acidic soil enriched with compost or manure. “They do not grow well in heavy or clay soils, so they are a good candidate for raised beds,” she says. Before planting, cultivate the soil well, ensuring it is loose and crumbly. 

Be wary of any potential herbicide residue in your soil or compost. “Herbicide damage causes leaf curling and distortion that sometimes looks like fiddleheads,” says Laci Holbrook, a fourth-generation seed grower at Holbrook Seed Potatoes. “Severe damage can lead to poor or no growth, or misshapen tubers.”

When planting, try dipping all cut potato surfaces in ground fir bark beforehand—a trick from Martha herself. Throughout the spring and summer, keep the plants well watered, especially during and just after flowering. Finally, fertilize with an organic fertilizer every few weeks up until blooming ends. 

When to Harvest

After weeks of watering and waiting, harvest time is finally near. The most reliable signal that your potatoes are ready is when the vines begin to yellow, wilt, and fall over. This signals that the tubers underground have reached maturity. 

“After about two weeks, since the vines have died back completely, carefully dig up a few potatoes to see if the skins are thick and firmly attached to the flesh,” Pothour says. “If the skins are thin and rub off easily, they should be left in the ground for a few more days.”

One plant should yield about two to four pounds of potatoes. Once harvested, let them dry in a shaded spot for a few hours, then store in a cool, dark place. Do not wash them until you're ready to use them.

Once you’ve reaped your well-earned reward, the only question remains: will you puree, roast, bake, or fry them?