My potatoes are in their harvest window and some leaves are turning yellow. I’m not in a hurry to clear the bed, but I’d like the potatoes to keep well. How should I time the last watering and harvest, especially while some skins still rub off?
When should I dig potatoes if I want to store them?
Asked by Paper Kite
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I wouldn’t treat a fixed two-week cutoff as a rule. With tops beginning to yellow, you can ease off watering now, especially if rain is likely. If the bed can stay put and conditions are dry, waiting for more of the foliage to die back gives the crop more time for its skins to firm up.
If you need the space or wet weather is coming, harvesting sooner can make sense. The timing depends partly on those conditions, not just the number of days since planting.
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The skins that rub off easily are a good reason to hold off on harvesting those potatoes for storage if you have the option. As the foliage dies back, the skins toughen. Check one gently with your thumb before digging the rest. If the skin still slips easily, give them more time.
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Once you dig them, avoid washing them right away. Knock off the larger clumps of soil and let the potatoes dry in a cool, dry place for a few days. After that, brush away the remaining loose soil. Wash them when you’re ready to use them, since freshly dug skins can be delicate.
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