How Long Does It Take To Grow Potatoes?

Living in the age of technological advancements, we often tend to believe that everything happens fast and instantaneously. However, that is not always the case—there are some things that still take time, regardless of how much technology has progressed.

One such thing is growing potatoes. No matter how good of a gardener you are, or how perfect the conditions are, it still takes a significant amount of time to grow potatoes. So, how long does it take to grow potatoes?

The answer may vary depending on the type of potato you are growing, as well as the conditions in which they are grown. However, on average, it takes about two to three months for potatoes to fully mature and be ready to harvest.

The different types of potatoes and how long do they take to grow?

There is a total of four different types of potatoes, and each one of them has a unique growing timeline.

1. First early potatoes: 45 to 60 days

When we talk about first early potatoes, we are referring to potatoes that are ready to harvest in 45 to 60 days. This type of potato is typically planted in late winter or early spring. The names include ‘Arran Pilot’, ‘Duke of York, and ‘sharp blue’. These are good for boiled, new potatoes and salads. However, they do have a shorter shelf life so you will need to eat them relatively quickly.

2. Second early potatoes: 60 to 75 days

The second early potato is ready to harvest anywhere from 60 to 75 days after planting. This type of potato is usually planted in late spring. They include ‘Charlotte’, ‘Estima’, and ‘And Maris Peer’.  They are good for baking, roasting, chips, and salads. They have a moderate shelf life so you can store them for a few weeks.

3. Maincrop potatoes: 120 plus days

Maincrop potatoes take the longest to mature, and typically won’t be ready to harvest until at least 120 days after they are planted. They are usually planted in late spring or early summer. Some examples of maincrop potatoes include ‘King Edward’, ‘Maris Piper’, and ‘Desiree’. They have a long shelf life so you can store them for several months. You can make roasted potatoes, chips, boiled potatoes, and mashed potatoes with maincrop potatoes.

4. Salad potatoes: 60 to 90 days

Salad potatoes are a type of potato that is best eaten fresh, and they are usually ready to harvest anywhere from 60 to 90 days after planting. They are typically planted in late spring or early summer. Some examples of salad potatoes include ‘Baby Bella’, ‘Rosa’, and ‘And Red Bliss’. They have a shorter shelf life so you will need to eat them relatively quickly. Making roasted potatoes, chips, boiled potatoes, and mashed potatoes is not recommended with salad potatoes.

The timeline for growing potatoes may vary depending on the type of potato you are growing, as well as the conditions in which they are grown. However, on average, it takes about two to three months for potatoes to fully mature and be ready to harvest.

Now that you know how long it takes to grow potatoes, you can start planning your potato garden! Just remember to be patient—potatoes take time to grow, but the wait is definitely worth it.

What Factors Affect The Growth Of Potatoes?

The answer to how long it takes to grow potatoes may vary depending on the type of potato you are growing, as well as the conditions in which they are grown. However, on average, it takes about two to three months for potatoes to fully mature and be ready to harvest. There are a few different factors that can affect the growth of potatoes, such as the type of potato, the climate, and the soil.

1. Type of potato

As we mentioned before, there are four different types of potatoes—first early, second early, maincrop, and salad. Each type of potato has a different timeline for growing. For example, first early potatoes will mature faster than maincrop potatoes.

2. Climate

The climate in which potatoes are grown can also affect the timeline for growing. Potatoes need a warm, moist climate in order to grow properly. If the weather is too cold or too dry, it can delay the growth of potatoes.

3. Soil

The type of soil in which potatoes are grown can also affect the timeline for growing. Potatoes need well-drained, fertile soil in order to grow properly. If the soil is too sandy or too clayey, it can delay the growth of potatoes.

Why does growing potatoes take time?

There are several reasons why growing potatoes takes time.

1. They are a root vegetable

Root vegetables, by nature, take longer to grow than other types of vegetables. This is because they need to put down deep roots in order to get the nutrients they need to grow.

2. They need a lot of sunlight

Potatoes need a lot of sunlight in order to grow. They typically need about six hours of sunlight per day.

3. They need warm temperatures

Potatoes also need warm temperatures in order to grow properly. They typically need temperatures that are between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. They need plenty of water

In order for potatoes to grow, they need to be kept hydrated. They typically need about an inch of water per week.

5. They need time to form tubers

Potatoes produce tubers, which are the edible part of the plant. Tubers take time to form, and they will not be ready to harvest until they have had time to fully develop.

With all of these factors taken into account, it is no wonder that it takes potatoes a few months to grow! But trust us, the wait is definitely worth it.

How to make potato growth faster?

There are a few things that you can do to help make the potato growth process go faster.

1. Start with seed potatoes

Starting with seed potatoes will help the potato plants to grow faster. This is because they have already been started, and they will not need to put down deep roots in order to get the nutrients they need.

2. Plant in warm weather

If you plant your potatoes in warm weather, they will be more likely to grow faster. This is because they will not have to struggle to keep warm, and they will have access to more sunlight.

3. Use a soil Amendments

Soil amendments can help to improve the quality of the soil, which will in turn help the potatoes to grow faster.

4. Give them plenty of water

As we mentioned before, potatoes need plenty of water in order to grow properly. Be sure to give them about an inch of water per week.

5. Harvest early

If you are looking to get potatoes to grow faster, you can try harvesting them a bit early. This will not give you the same results as if you were to wait until they are fully mature, but it will give you potatoes sooner.

With these tips in mind, you should be able to help your potato plants grow a bit faster. Just remember that even with these tips, it will still take a few months for the potatoes to be ready to harvest. So be patient and enjoy the process!

To Sum Up

Whether you’re a chef looking to use the freshest ingredients possible or a gardener who enjoys the satisfaction of growing your own food, you might be wondering how long it takes to grow potatoes. Depending on the type of potato you want to grow, it will take between 60 and 150 days. The smaller the potato, the shorter the time it will take to grow.

The best time to plant potatoes is in the spring, after the last frost. Now that you know how long it takes to grow potatoes, you can plan accordingly when planting your own crop or stocking up your kitchen with fresh ingredients. With a little patience (and some green fingers), you’ll be able to enjoy homegrown potatoes in no time!