The Best Potato Varieties For Your Homestead Garden
Potatoes are a staple food in many households around the world and are one of the most popular and versatile crops that can be grown in a homestead or backyard garden. There are many different potatoe varieties to choose from when getting started so let’s dive in to some of the best varieties for the homestead garden!
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Before getting started on your potato garden, it’s important to know what kind of potato you’re growing and how to best support it for a large and healthy harvest! First, you must decide what variety of potato is going to suit your families needs in taste, texture and how you’re going to use it in the kitchen. Next, you will need to determine the best way to grow those potatoes. Knowing whether those potatoes are determinate or indeterminate is going to be helpful in its growing conditions and how you need to treat the plant.
Indeterminate vs Determinate
Potatoes can be divided into two main categories: indeterminate and determinate. These terms are used to describe a particular variety of potato plant based on the growth habit of their foliage and stems.
Indeterminate Potatoes
Also known as long-season potatoes, indeterminate potatoes continue to grow and produce leaves and flowers throughout the growing season. On average, it takes about 80 to 120 days for the plant to fully stop growing, making them best suited for regions with long growing seasons.
This type of plant requires a mounding technique to get the most out of the plant. This is achieved by continuing to pile loose soil, straw or other mulch material on top of the plant so that only 2 inches of the top is exposed at all times.
Mounding is done for indeterminate varieties because the plant will continue to produce layers of tubers as it grows. These potatoes are often grown in commercial operations due to their high yields.
Some common indeterminate varieties include some Russets (burbank, ranger, century, nugget, canela), German Butterball, Red Pontiac, Red Maria, and Elba.
Determinate Potatoes
On the other hand, determinate potatoes are grow in a more compact form and produce a shorter stem. They are considered the fast-growing option because they only produce tubers where the seed was planted and slightly above.
These potatoes are often referred to as short-season potatoes and are best suited for regions with shorter growing seasons or succession sowed for multiple harvest throughout the growing season. They are typically ready for harvest 70 to 90 days after planting. Determinate varieties really only need about 4 inches of soil, making them great for small spaces in home gardens.
Some common determinate potatoes include Caribe, Norland, Russet Norkotah, Red Norland, Yukon Gold, Sierra Gold and Rose, and Gold Rush.
It will always be best to check with the supplier of your seed potatoes to determine if your potato variety is a indeterminate or determinate. There are also some varieties that grow both as a determinate and indeterminate potato. Trial and error is the best way to determine the potatoes growth habit and then save, or specifically breed, your harvest for the next year.
Potato Varieties
There are many different varieties of potatoes that can be grown, each with its own unique taste, texture, and cooking properties.
Russet
Characteristics:
Russet potatoes are large, oblong-shaped potatoes with rough, netted brown skin and a dry, starchy white flesh. They are known for their fluffy texture when cooked.
Common Uses:
Due to their high starch content, russet potatoes are ideal for baking, frying (think French fries and hash browns), and mashing. They are less suited for boiling as they tend to fall apart.
Determinate or Indeterminate?
Indeterminate – They continue growing and producing tubers along the stem, making them well-suited for hilling or growing in deep containers.
Time to Grow & Harvest:
Russet potatoes typically take 90 to 120 days to mature, depending on the specific variety and growing conditions.
Russet Potatoes
Stark Bros
Red
Characteristics:
Red potatoes are small to medium-sized tubers with thin, smooth, red skin and white or yellow flesh. They have a waxy texture, which makes them great for holding their shape when cooked.
Common Uses:
Due to their firm and creamy texture, red potatoes are ideal for boiling, roasting, steaming, and using in salads or soups. Their thin skin means they don’t require peeling, making them a convenient choice for many dishes.
Determinate or Indeterminate?
Most red potato varieties are determinate, meaning they grow in a single layer and do not require hilling beyond the initial planting.
Time to Grow & Harvest:
Red potatoes generally mature in 70-90 days, making them a great mid-season or early-season crop, depending on the variety. Harvest them when the plants start to yellow and die back.
Dark Red Norland Potatoes
Stark Bros
Viking Potatoes
Hoss
Yellow
Characteristics:
Yellow or gold potatoes, such as the popular Yukon Gold, are known for their smooth golden skin and buttery, creamy texture. Their moderate starch content gives them a perfect balance between waxy and starchy, allowing them to hold their shape while still being creamy when cooked.
Common Uses:
They have a naturally rich flavor, making them a favorite for mashing, roasting, and frying.
Determinate or Indeterminate?
Yellow potatoes are typically determinate varieties, meaning they grow in a single layer rather than continuously producing tubers along the stem. Because of this, they are best suited for traditional row planting or raised beds rather than deep hilling methods used for indeterminate potatoes.
Time to Grow & Harvest:
Most yellow potato varieties take about 80–100 days from planting to harvest. They prefer loose, well-drained soil rich in organic matter, and they thrive with steady moisture and proper fertilization, particularly phosphorus and potassium to encourage tuber development.
Keuka Gold Potatoes
Stark Bros
Yukon Gold Potatoes
Stark Bros
Fingerling
Characteristics:
Fingerling potatoes are small, elongated potatoes that have a distinct, narrow shape resembling fingers. Their skin comes in a variety of colors, including red, yellow, purple, and even a combination of these.
Common Uses:
They are known for their waxy texture and rich, buttery flavor, making them a favorite for roasting, boiling, and adding to salads.
Determinate or Indeterminate?
Fingerling potatoes are typically indeterminate, meaning they continue to grow new tubers throughout the growing season until they are harvested.
Time to Grow & Harvest:
They typically take 80-100 days to grow to harvestable size, depending on variety and growing conditions. Fingerling potatoes are usually ready for harvest a little earlier than other varieties.
French Fingerling Potatoes
Hoss
Austrian Crescent Potatoes
Hoss
Kennebec
Characteristics:
The Kennebec potato is a widely known, versatile variety with smooth, white skin and white flesh. Its high yield and excellent storage capabilities make it a favorite among home gardeners and commercial growers alike.
Common Uses:
It has a mild, slightly buttery flavor, and a fluffy, dry texture when cooked, making it perfect for baking, frying, mashing, and boiling.
Determinate or Indeterminate?
The Kennebec is indeterminate, meaning it continues to produce tubers throughout the growing season, allowing for a longer harvest period.
Time to Grow & Harvest:
This variety typically takes 90 to 120 days to mature, depending on the growing conditions, and is ready for harvest once the plants start to die back and the skins set.
Kennebec Potatoes
Hoss
Purple Majesty
Characteristics:
The Purple Majesty potato is a striking heirloom variety known for its vibrant purple skin and deep purple flesh, which is packed with antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins.
Common Uses:
These potatoes are medium to large in size, with a smooth, waxy texture that makes them perfect for boiling, steaming, or baking. Their rich color remains even after cooking, making them an eye-catching addition to any dish. Purple Majesty potatoes are great for mashed potatoes, salads, and roasted recipes.
Determinate or Indeterminate?
This variety is indeterminate, meaning it continues to grow and produce new tubers throughout the growing season until the plant matures.
Time to Grow & Harvest:
On average, it takes about 90 to 110 days from planting to harvest, depending on growing conditions and climate.
Purple Majesty Potatoes
Hoss
Irish Cobbler
Characteristics:
The Irish Cobbler potato is an early-season, determinate variety known for its smooth, white skin and creamy white flesh. It is prized for its excellent flavor and versatility in the kitchen.
Common Uses:
The Irish Cobbler is often used for making mashed potatoes, boiling, and frying, as it holds its shape well when cooked but also becomes soft and creamy.
Determinate or Indeterminate?
As a determinate variety, it grows to a set size, and the plants die back after producing a full crop, which makes it a good choice for those seeking a reliable, smaller, earlier harvest.
Time to Grow & Harvest:
This variety typically takes 75-90 days to grow and harvest, depending on climate conditions and care.
Irish Cobbler Potatoes
Hoss
Adirondack Blue
Characteristics:
Adirondack Blue potatoes are medium to large-sized tubers with smooth skin and blue flesh. The plants are compact, with attractive purple flowers.
Common Uses:
Perfect for baking, mashing, and roasting, they hold their color well when cooked, making them an eye-catching addition to any dish.
Determinate or Indeterminate?
This variety is determinate, meaning it grows to a set size and is ready for harvest all at once.
Time to Grow & Harvest:
Adirondack Blue potatoes typically take about 90 to 110 days from planting to harvest, depending on growing conditions and climate.
Adirondack Blue Potatoes
Stark Bros
No matter what type or variety of potato you decide to grow, adding potatoes to your garden is a valuable step in creating self-sufficiency. Potatoes are extremely filling, versatile and delicious! Let us know in the comments, what is your favorite potato to grow?!
