Potatoes are a popular crop to grow in New York due to the state’s rich, loamy soil and long growing season. The ideal soil for potatoes is a well-drained, sandy loam, and New York’s climate provides plenty of opportunity for a successful harvest. Potatoes require a long growing season, so the best time to plant potatoes in New York is in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked.
Planting in raised beds or hills helps to improve drainage and allows for better root development. With proper care and attention, a successful yield of potatoes can be achieved in New York.
New York’s Hardiness Zones And Climate
Zone 3 is located in the northern part of the state and has cold winters and cool summers. Winters can be extremely cold with temperatures below 0°F and average temperatures in the single digits. Snowfall can vary from moderate to heavy depending on the year. Summers are cool with temperatures typically in the upper 60s to mid-70s.
Zone 4 is located in the northern part of the state and has cold winters and warm summers. Winters are cold with temperatures typically in the single digits and low teens. Snowfall can vary from moderate to heavy depending on the year. Summers are warm with temperatures typically in the upper 70s to mid-80s.
Zone 5 is located in the northern and central parts of the state and has cold winters and warm summers. Winters are cold with temperatures typically in the teens to low 20s. Snowfall can vary from moderate to heavy depending on the year. Summers are warm with temperatures typically in the upper 70s to low 90s.
Zone 6 is located in the central and southern parts of the state and has cold winters and hot summers. Winters are cold with temperatures typically in the low 20s to mid-30s. Snowfall can vary from moderate to heavy depending on the year. Summers are hot with temperatures typically in the upper 80s to low 100s.
Zone 7 is located in the southern part of the state and has mild winters and hot summers. Winters are mild with temperatures typically in the mid-30s to mid-40s. Snowfall can vary from moderate to heavy depending on the year. Summers are hot with temperatures typically in the upper 80s to low 100s.
Different varieties of seed potatoes
When selecting seed potatoes for growing in New York, 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 New York 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 New York
In New York, potatoes should be planted in early spring when soil temperatures reach 45°F or higher. Planting can begin as soon as the soil can be worked, usually in early April. The best time to plant potatoes in New York is around mid-April to mid-May. It’s important to note that potatoes should not be planted in cold, wet soil, as the tubers can rot. Potatoes should be planted:
- Zone 3: Around May 1st
- Zone 4: Around April 30th
- Zone 5: Around April 15th
- Zone 6: Around April 7th
- Zone 7: Around March 24th
How To Plant Potatoes In New York
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 New York
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.
