When Should You Harvest Potatoes?
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GardenSays
Potato plants are ready when new potatoes: 6-8 weeks after planting, usually once plants have flowered; storage crop: plants have died back — in Minneapolis, MN, typically May 26 – Jun 30.
- Ready when
- new potatoes: 6-8 weeks after planting, usually once plants have flowered; storage crop: plants have died back
- Days to maturity
- 42-56
- Est. first harvest
- May 26 – Jun 30
Ready when: new potatoes: 6-8 weeks after planting, usually once plants have flowered; storage crop: plants have died back. For storage potatoes, leave tubers in the ground 2 more weeks after the tops die — skins thicken and they keep far longer.
- Once harvest season starts, check after flowering, steal a few new potatoes from the side of the hill without pulling the plant.
Do this this week
- 1.Watch for the sign: new potatoes: 6-8 weeks after planting, usually once plants have flowered; storage crop: plants have died back
- 2.Check after flowering, steal a few new potatoes from the side of the hill without pulling the plant
- 3.Then: cure and keep dark, cool and humid; never in the fridge
Typical estimate · 1 verified source · Checked 2026-07-16 · How we decide
Why
On the calendar: planting on schedule in Minneapolis, MN puts first harvest around May 26 – Jun 30 (our estimate from the typical planting window plus 42-56 days to maturity). Weather, variety and care shift this by weeks — trust the sign above over the date.
Storage: cure and keep dark, cool and humid; never in the fridge.
- Days-to-maturity figures are averages from trial conditions — your season, variety and weather move them, which is why the visual readiness sign is the deciding test.
When this doesn't apply
- If you planted earlier or later than the typical window, shift the estimated dates by the same amount.
How this was calculated
- 1. Planting windowApr 14 – May 5Calculated result
Potato goes in on the same schedule the Planting calculator gives for Minneapolis, MN
- 2. Days to maturity42-56 daysSource guidance
42-56 days from planting (University of Maryland Extension — Growing Potatoes in a Home Garden)
- 3. Estimated first-harvest windowMay 26 – Jun 30GardenSays estimate
Planting window + days to maturity — an estimate; the readiness sign always wins
Data sources
- University of Maryland Extension — Growing Potatoes in a Home Garden — new potatoes 6-8 weeks after planting once flowered; leave 2 weeks after die-back for storage skins (checked 2026-07-16)
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