Harvesting Potatoes
Potatoes can be harvested at different stages depending on whether you want tender new potatoes or fully mature tubers for storage. Harvesting at the right time helps prevent damage and improves keeping quality.
Care instructions
Harvest at the desired stage.
Potatoes can be harvested early as “new potatoes” once the plants have finished flowering and tubers are small and tender. For full-sized potatoes, wait until the foliage turns yellow and dies back.Choose dry conditions.
Harvest potatoes on a dry day if possible. Wet soil increases the risk of rot and makes tubers harder to clean and store.Harvest during cooler hours.
Dig potatoes in the morning or early evening to reduce heat stress and prevent sun damage.Dig carefully.
Use a garden fork or your hands to loosen the soil well away from the plant, then gently lift the tubers. Potatoes bruise and cut easily.Avoid sun exposure.
Do not leave harvested potatoes in direct sunlight. Sun exposure can cause greening, which makes potatoes bitter and unsafe to eat.Cure if fully mature.
For mature potatoes, allow them to dry in a dark, well-ventilated place for a few days to toughen the skins before storage.Store properly after harvesting.
Store potatoes in a cool, dark, dry place. Avoid refrigeration, which can affect flavor and texture.