Determinate and indeterminate potatoes are defined by growth patterns. Several different varieties of potato fall into each category, so there are plenty from which to choose. Select between determinate and indeterminate varieties depending on factors like yield, garden space, and amount of labor.
What are Determinate Potatoes?
Determinate potatoes are varieties with tubers that grow in just one layer. For this reason, the plants do not require mounding of the soil around them. They produce early, in about 70 to 90 days. Sow determinate potatoes in loose soil to a depth of about 4 inches (10 cm.). Use mulch to prevent weed growth and to prevent the tubers from being exposed to the sun, which will turn the potatoes green. Examples of determinate potatoes are Yukon Gold, Norland, Fingerling, and Superior.
What are Indeterminate Potatoes?
Indeterminate potatoes grow in multiple layers, so it is important to mound soil around the plants. This will give you a better yield. Indeterminate potatoes produce late crops, 110 to 135 days out. To grow these potatoes, start by covering them with 4 inches (10 cm.) of loose soil.
When the plants have reached about 6 inches (15 cm.) in height, add several inches (8 cm.) of soil, straw, or dead leaves until there is just 2 inches (5 cm.) of plant sticking out of the mound.
Continue adding layers as the plant grows. It is because of the multiple layers of tuber production with indeterminate potatoes that these varieties are well suited to potato boxes or towers, or even potato bags.
These are good for small spaces because they allow you to grow up and still get a good yield of potatoes. Examples of indeterminate potatoes include Snowden, Russet Burbank, and Banco*ck Russet.
Determinate vs. Indeterminate Potatoes
Whether you choose one or the other may depend on the varieties you want to grow. On the other hand, the potato growth characteristics might help you decide on a variety depending on how much yield you want versus how much space you have. You need more garden space to get more potatoes out of determinate varieties. For indeterminate potatoes, you will get more potatoes, but only if you have vertical space.
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FAQs
These potatoes, sometimes called "early potatoes," are usually determinate and are ready in about 70-90 days. Indeterminate or late season potatoes on the other hand grow in multiple layers, so it is important to mound soil around the plants. This will give you a better yield.
What is the difference between indeterminate and determinate potatoes? ›
The only way to know is to grow them and if the potato has a bush-like appearance, flowers and dies, they are a determinate variety. And if they sprawl all over, continue growing until a killing frost gets them, they are an indeterminate variety.
Are store bought russet potatoes determinate or indeterminate? ›
Most potatoes that we grow are determinate. Some varieties such as Russet are indeterminate but not widely planted. We do not recommend planting potatoes from a grocery store due to a symptomless carrier of disease such as late blight.
Do you need to hill up determinate potatoes? ›
Determinate potatoes are varieties with tubers that grow in just one layer. For this reason, the plants do not require mounding of the soil around them. They produce early, in about 70 to 90 days.
How tall do indeterminate potatoes grow? ›
The stem continues to grow and produce more laterals, so the plant is able to continue growing and flowering for longer. Determinate potatoes normally top out at about two to three feet tall. Indeterminate varieties can grow stems as much as seven feet long, eventually becoming sort of sprawling vines.
How deep to plant determinate potatoes? ›
Planting in the Ground
Space your potatoes 14-16 inches (35-40cm). Dig a hole for each potato, aiming for a depth of around 6-8 inches (15-20cm), pop the tuber in, and cover it over. Nice and easy!
Are Purple Majesty potatoes determinate or indeterminate? ›
Purple Majesty Dark purple skin, purple flesh; smooth oblong tubers. Decorative and flavorful in soups and potato salad. High in anthocyanins (the phytochemicals that make blueberries so healthful.) Determinate.
At what point do you stop hilling potatoes? ›
Hilling may be done a few times a season. Check them every 2 to 3 weeks. Stop hilling when the plant is about 6 inches tall but before the potato plant blooms. Potatoes can be planted as soon as the soil can be easily worked.
What is the best fertilizer for potatoes? ›
Potatoes like a balanced fertilizer, such as a 2-3-3. If you're trying to take a natural approach to growing your own potatoes, finding a natural 2-3-3 fertilizer can be a challenge, which is why we recommend a 4-3-2 NPK fertilizer such as chicken manure pellets.
What is the easiest potato to grow? ›
- Ambo. Ambo is a very attractive early maturing versatile parti-coloured variety with good foliage and tuber late blight resistance. ...
- Bambino. Short oval tuber with white skin and cream flesh. ...
- Casablanca. Chefs and cooks will love the versatility of the potato Casablanca. ...
- Charlotte. ...
- Sarpo Una.
If larger potatoes are planted whole they will produce larger plants and should be given a little extra room, 12-16 inches. A spacing of 36 inches between rows in adequate but if you have the extra space, further spacing will make hilling easier.
What is the fastest growing potato? ›
Potatoes can be classed as first earlies, second earlies, or maincrop. Look for varieties of 'first early' potatoes, which are the quickest growing of the lot. These can be ready as soon as 10 to 12 weeks after planting.
How many potatoes can you expect from one potato plant? ›
How many potatoes will one plant produce? Different varieties of potatoes will produce a different yield come harvest time. As a general rule, if the plant is healthy, you can expect to dig up about five or six full-size potatoes. Every potato plant will most likely have a bunch of smaller, baby-size potatoes as well.
Are Yukon Gold potatoes indeterminate? ›
Yukon Gold is a determinate variety and senescence occurs 70-90 days after emergence (about 100 days after planting); natural die-off is mid to late August with an early May planting.
Are tomatoes determinate or indeterminate? ›
Most modern hybrids and bush varieties are determinate. Examples of determinate varieties are Rutgers, Celebrity, Mountain Fresh, Roma, Plum Dandy, and San Marzano. Indeterminate tomatoes are often called vine tomatoes and can grow to 12' or more in height. In the home garden, they usually grow to 6-8'.
Are German Butterball potatoes determinate or indeterminate? ›
Both types of potatoes do well in a garden, but indeterminate potatoes are best for potato bags and containers in small space situations. Examples include Amarosa, Bintje, Elba, Russet Burbank, German Butterball, Russian Blue – generally any late season varieties.
Are russet Norkotah potatoes determinate or indeterminate? ›
Russet Norkotah is an early to medium maturing (95-110 days from planting), determinate potato variety.
