Growing potatoes in California can be a rewarding experience as potatoes are a hardy and versatile crop that can be grown in a variety of climates. The moderate climate and long growing season of California allow potatoes to flourish and produce a high yield. Potatoes should be planted in well-drained soil, and can be grown either in rows or in hills, with one to two feet between the plants. In California, potatoes can be planted in the spring, starting in April and continuing through June. They need plenty of water, so a consistent and steady water source is important for a successful crop. Potatoes are ready for harvest when the leaves start to yellow and the plants begin to die back. With the right soil, climate, and care, California can be an ideal place to grow potatoes.
California’s Hardiness Zones And Climate
Growing Zone 5a: This zone has cold winters and hot summers. Average low temperatures range from -20 to -10F and average high temperatures range from 40 to 50F. Zone 6a has cold winters and hot summers. Average low temperatures range from -10 to 0F and average high temperatures range from 50 to 60F. Growing Zone 7a has mild winters and hot summers. Average low temperatures range from 0 to 10F and average high temperatures range from 60 to 70F. Growing Zone 8a: This zone has mild winters and hot summers. Average low temperatures range from 10 to 20F and average high temperatures range from 70 to 80F.
Zone 9 has mild winters and hot summers. Average low temperatures range from 20 to 30F and average high temperatures range from 80 to 90F. Growing Zone 10a: This zone has mild winters and hot summers. Average low temperatures range from 30 to 40F and average high temperatures range from 90 to 100F. Growing Zone 11a: This zone has mild winters and hot summers. Average low temperatures range from 40 to 50F and average high temperatures range from 100 to 110F.
Different varieties of seed potatoes
When selecting seed potatoes for growing in California, it is important to be mindful of the variety’s days to harvest and the length of time you have before you want to harvest them.
Early-season varieties such as ‘Yukon Gold’ and ‘Red Norland’ have fewer days to harvest and should be planted as soon as possible for harvesting in late summer.
Mid-season varieties such as ‘Russet Burbank’ and ‘Kennebec’ have more days to harvest and should be planted in late April or early May for harvesting in fall.
Late-season varieties such as ‘Cara Russet’ and ‘All Blue’ have the most days to harvest and should be planted in late April or early May for harvesting in early winter. Be sure to select varieties with the right number of days to harvest for your intended harvest date. Some good potato varieties for California include:
- Russet Potatoes: 85-95 days
- Yukon Gold Potatoes: 90-110 days
- Red Potatoes: 80-90 days
- Purple Potatoes: 90-110 days
- Fingerling Potatoes: 90-120 days
- Sweet Potatoes: 90-120 days
- White Potatoes: 90-100 days
- All-Blue Potatoes: 95-105 days
- Yellow Finn Potatoes: 85-95 days
- Kennebec Potatoes: 85-95 days
When To Plant Potatoes In California
In California, potatoes can be planted as early as February or March, when the soil has warmed to about 45°F and the danger of frost has passed. Planting should be completed by late May or early June, depending on the weather and your specific climate.
- Zone 5: Around April 15th
- Zone 6: Around April 7th
- Zone 7: Around March 24th
- Zone 8: Around March 14th
- Zone 9: Around February 14th
- Zone 10: After January 15th
- Zone 11: Any time
How To Plant Potatoes In California
Begin the planting process for seed potatoes by tilling the soil to a depth of 8 inches and incorporating organic compost. Once you have done this, find a sunny location that receives at least 8 hours of direct sunlight and place the seed potatoes.
Plant the seed potatoes with the “eyes” facing upward, leaving a distance of 8 to 10 inches in between each. Cover the seed potatoes with a layer of soil that is 3-4 inches thick, and make sure to water them adequately. As the potatoes start to sprout, add more soil to the rows to keep them adequately buried.
Water the potatoes on a regular basis and remove any weeds from the area. For those living in hot and dry climates, you may want to cover the soil around the potatoes with straw, although this is not essential.
Caring For Potato Plants
Caring for potato plants is pretty easy – they’re incredibly hardy and generally no-fuss. Potato plants need full sun and well-drained soil to thrive. They should be watered deeply and regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Fertilizing is also important for optimal growth. Potato plants need a balanced fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This should be applied every four to six weeks, depending on the soil’s nutrient content.
It is also important to keep the soil evenly moist, as potatoes do not tolerate dry or waterlogged conditions. Mulching around the potato plants can help retain moisture and reduce weeds.
When To Harvest Potatoes In California
There are two sure ways to know your potatoes are about ready to harvest! The first is counting backward from your current date to their planting date. Potato varieties have an approximate number of days to harvest, so consult the days to harvest for the particular variety of potatoes you’ve planted. If you aren’t sure, assume it’s around 100 days.
The appearance of your potato plants is another dead giveaway. You will know your potatoes are ready to harvest when the foliage begins to turn yellow and die back. Your plants will go through an entire flowering cycle, which is nice because the flowers are really beautiful.
Allow the soil around the plants to dry before harvesting, but don’t allow it to be dry for too long. Once harvested, inspect the potatoes carefully- they should be firm and free of green or soft spots.
Carefully dig up the potatoes with a garden fork, taking care not to damage the potatoes in the process. Once the potatoes have all been dug up, brush off any excess soil and inspect them for any damage. Discard any potatoes that are damaged, as these are not suitable for long-term storage.
Finally, gently place the potatoes in a cool, dry, and dark area for storage. It is important to only store undamaged potatoes, as damaged potatoes can quickly rot.