Growing potatoes in winter may seem counterintuitive but it’s actually a great way to get a fresh crop of tasty tubers when regular gardening is on hold. With a little preparation and care, you can grow potatoes indoors or in an unheated greenhouse during the colder months.
Why Grow Potatoes in Winter?
Here are some of the main benefits of winter potato growing
- Enjoy fresh potatoes during the off-season when they are expensive at the store
- Get a head start on potato growing for spring planting
- Grow varieties that are difficult in your summer climate
- Keep harvesting potatoes after your main crop ends
- Have an engaging gardening project during winter
Growing potatoes in winter takes some extra work compared to regular gardening. But the payoff of having homegrown potatoes when little else is growing makes it worthwhile for many gardeners.
Choose the Right Potatoes for Winter Growing
Potatoes can be divided into early, mid, and late season varieties depending on the length of time they take to mature. To grow potatoes in winter, choose early or mid-season potatoes that take 75-110 days to mature. This ensures they have time to fully develop during the shorter winter days.
Some good potato varieties for winter growing include:
- Yukon Gold – classic yellow potato, matures in 75 days
- Red Norland – red skin, white flesh, matures in 90 days
- French Fingerling – small, finger-shaped potato, matures in 85 days
- Purple Viking – small purple potato, matures in 110 days
- Russet – large, brown skin potatoes for baking, matures in 100 days
Purchase seed potatoes from a garden store or seed catalogue. Do not use potatoes bought for eating, as these may carry diseases.
When to Plant Potatoes for Winter Growing
Potatoes can be planted in winter anytime the soil temperature is above 40°F. Planting too late in winter risks a frost killing the plants before the potatoes mature.
Here are some guidelines on when to plant potatoes for winter growing:
- Plant 10-12 weeks before your first expected frost date in spring
- In mild climates, plant from late December to late January
- In cold climates, plant in February or March
- Start potatoes inside 4 weeks before transplanting them outside
Potatoes can be grown successfully in an unheated greenhouse or high tunnel throughout winter in most climates. Indoor growing requires artificial lights.
Preparing Seed Potatoes for Planting
Before planting, seed potatoes should be “chitted” to encourage strong sprouts. This gives them a head start once planted.
To chit potatoes:
- Select unblemished potatoes and place them in egg cartons with the eyes facing up.
- Keep cartons in a bright, cool room (60-70°F) for 2-4 weeks.
- Once sprouts are 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, they are ready for planting.
The potatoes can also be pre-sprouted in soil indoors for transplanting outside later.
How to Plant Potatoes in Winter
Indoors: Use at least a 5 gallon bucket or container, drilling drainage holes in the bottom. Fill the bottom 2-3 inches with rich potting soil mixed with compost. Place the chitted potato on its side and cover with another 2 inches of soil. As stems grow, keep adding soil until the container is full. Place container in bright light.
Outside: Choose a sunny spot with enriched soil. Dig trenches 6 inches deep and 12-24 inches apart. Space seed potatoes 8-12 inches apart in the trenches and cover with 2 inches of soil. As plants grow, continue mounding soil up around stems.
Final spacing: Allow 12-16 inches between plants. Potatoes are heavy feeders – mix in composted manure before planting. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and heat.
Caring for Potatoes in Winter
Potatoes require consistent moisture and temperatures above 40°F to grow well. Here are some tips for winter care:
Watering: Check soil moisture frequently, watering whenever the top few inches become dry. Avoid overwatering.
Temperature: Maintain temperatures above 40°F. Move containers closer to heat sources if needed. Insulate outdoor plants with row cover fabric.
Light: For indoor growing, provide 14-16 hours of bright light daily. Turn containers periodically for even growth.
Fertilizer: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer or compost tea every 2-3 weeks.
Pests: Check regularly for aphids and potato beetles. Remove by hand or use insecticidal soap.
Harvesting Potatoes in Winter
When: Early potatoes take 60-70 days to mature, mid-season 80-110 days. Test dig to judge readiness.
How: Carefully dig around each plant with a fork, removing potatoes as you see them without damaging skins.
Curing: Let potatoes sit in a dark, dry spot for 1-2 weeks to cure skins and extend storage life.
Storing: Keep potatoes in a cool (40-50°F), humid location. Avoid exposure to light, which can cause greening and bitterness.
Yields: Expect 2-3 pounds of potatoes per plant. The variety and growing conditions impact yields.
Troubleshooting Common Potato Problems
Growing healthy potatoes in winter can be challenging. Here are some common issues and how to prevent them:
-
Long, spindly stems: Plants are not getting enough sunlight. Provide ample lighting for indoor plants, or grow in a greenhouse if light is limited outdoors.
-
Green potatoes: Tubers are exposed to light, causing bitterness and toxicity. Completely cover developing potatoes with soil/mulch to block light.
-
Poor yields: Potatoes may lack nutrients, moisture, or sufficient space. Fertilize plants, water regularly, and allow enough room between plants.
-
Rotting potatoes: Overwatering and poorly drained soil cause rotting. Improve drainage and avoid excessive moisture on leaves and tubers.
-
Pests: Colorado potato beetles, aphids, and other pests can damage plants and tubers. Remove pests immediately and use insecticidal soap if needed.
-
Diseases: Prevent blights, wilts, and viruses by purchasing certified disease-free seed, rotating crops, removing debris after harvest, and keeping foliage dry.
Enjoying the Fruits of Your Labor
Growing your own potatoes in winter provides a sense of satisfaction and a fresh source of tasty tubers. Try any of these delicious ways to use your homegrown potatoes:
- Baked potatoes with butter, cheese, salsa, or chili
- Homemade potato soup or chowder
- Hash browns or breakfast potatoes
- Mashed or roasted potatoes
- Potato pancakes or gnocchi
- Shepherd’s pie or pot pie
- Potato salad
- Scalloped or au gratin potatoes
- French fries or tater tots
With the right preparation and care, potatoes can be grown successfully through winter – either indoors or in an unheated greenhouse. The reward of harvesting plump, freshly dug potatoes in the cold winter months makes it a fun gardening challenge.
Materials needed for this project:
- Chitted Potatoes
- Fertilizer and Compost
- Digging Fork and Shovel
- Tiller (optional)
How do you Plant Potatoes in Winter?
- The first thing that needs to be done is to chit your potatoes. I am using organic potatoes that came from the produce section of our local grocery. The potatoes sprouted under a grow light in a back bedroom without any fuss. Allow about two weeks for the sprouts to develop.
- The ground will need to be at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit before the potatoes should be planted. I used my Compost thermometer to make sure Mother Earth was ready. January 18th everything was good to go.
- The soil was a little wet but since the temperature was good, I decided to proceed.
- Since we were planting in January, we decided to plant the whole potato eight inches deep to ensure that the tubers would not run out of energy before they break the surface.
- We bedded the potatoes in a generous amount of compost.
- We got four inches of snow on February 18th that was accompanied by single-digit temperatures that stayed on the ground for a week. We aren’t accustomed to weather like this.
- The potatoes were a little slow to make their way above ground, on April 4th we gave them another dose of fresh compost.
- May 4th the winter potatoes were growing well, The compost has now become buried within the hills.
Growing Potatoes over the Winter: The Results!
FAQ
Can you grow potatoes during winter?
Yes, you can grow potatoes in a small greenhouse during the winter, but there are considerations.Oct 20, 2022
Can I just throw potatoes in the ground?
If you simply bury the potatoes, most of them will sprout and grow, but it may take longer, as the soil temperature may be lower than inside your house (assuming you’re planting in the spring). Most commercial growers don’t bother chitting: they just plant the seed potatoes, and they mostly do fine.
At what temperature do potatoes stop growing?
Potato plants can’t withstand hard frost and plants wither and die once temperatures are consistently over 100 degrees. Additionally, potato plants fail to set many tubers when nighttime temperatures remain over 55 degree.
What is the latest you can plant potatoes?
Typically, potatoes are planted in March for harvesting throughout the summer and autumn months. But they can also be planted in August or September so that you can enjoy new potatoes around Christmas. But before you can plant your potatoes, the seed potatoes themselves need to be chitted.
Can potatoes grow in winter?
Potatoes can grow in winter as long as they get enough light and are protected from freezes or hard frosts. In Florida, potatoes can be grown outdoors in the winter. Potatoes can be grown in winter if they are planted in containers indoors or in a greenhouse.
Can potatoes grow year-round?
Growing potatoes year-round would be nice, but extreme temperatures pose a challenge. So, can potatoes grow in winter? Potatoes can grow in winter as long as they get enough light and are protected from freezes or hard frosts. Potatoes can grow outdoors in winter in warmer southern climates, such as Florida.
When should you plant winter potatoes?
Winter potatoes are ideal if you want to enjoy the versatile veg and get some use out of your garden during the cooler months. While taters are generally planted a couple of weeks after the last spring frost, you can plant them in winter if you live in a warmer climate. Wondering when and how to grow winter potatoes?