Growing Potatoes with Spudtacular Success

by Brett Kerley

Potatoes are one of the most rewarding crops for Edmonton gardeners. They’re cold-tolerant, versatile, high-yielding, and perfect for our short-season climate. Whether you’re aiming for early baby potatoes or hefty winter keepers, a little planning goes a long way toward a bumper harvest. From choosing the right varieties to deciding on your planting method, here is your guide to growing outstanding potatoes in our Zone 3 and 4 region.

Potatoes are frost-tolerant, but they don’t like cold, soggy soil. Your ideal planting window is late April to mid-May.

• Soil should be at least 7°C (45°F) and workable—not sticky or waterlogged.
• You can plant as soon as the soil thaws and dries slightly—potatoes tolerate light spring frosts.
• For an extended harvest, plant:
  • Early varieties in late April
  • Main-season and late varieties in early–mid May

Chitting potatoes

Chitting (Pre-sprouting)

Chitting gives potatoes a head start in our short season. This technique can shave 1–2 weeks off your time to harvest.
Do this 3–4 weeks before planting:

• Place seed potatoes eye side up in egg cartons or trays.
• Keep in a cool, bright location.
• Let sprouts grow to 1–2 cm

Potatoes are categorized by maturity and culinary use. Choose a mix for staggered harvests and kitchen flexibility. Remember, not all varieties are available each year, only the most common varieties. When the garden centre advertises that they are in stock, race there to purchase them because they get picked over quickly!

Maturity Categories

Early (60–70 days)

Great for baby potatoes and fast yields.

• Norland — Reliable, red-skinned, great flavor
• Warba — Creamy, excellent for early harvest
• Yukon Gold Early Strain — Buttery texture

Mid-Season (80–90 days)

Good balance, higher yields.

• Yukon Gold — Classic all-purpose potato
• Red Pontiac — Thrives in colder soils
• Superior — Disease-resistant, white flesh (hard to find some years)

Late (90–120 days)

Best for storage through winter.

• Russet Burbank — Fluffy texture, excellent baker
• Kennebec — Superb producer, stores extremely well
• German Butterball — Rich, dense flesh, gourmet favourite

Culinary Types

Waxy potatoes hold their shape well. They’re excellent for salads:
Norland, Warba, Red Pontiac

All-purpose potatoes are good for roasting, mashing, and frying:
Yukon Gold, Kennebec, German Butterball

Starchy potatoes are best for fluffy mash, wedges, and fries:
Russet Burbank

Potatoes need:

• Full sun — 6–8 hours daily
• Loose, deep soil — Avoid heavy clay unless amended
• Good drainage — Prevents rot and scab
• Space away from tomatoes/peppers — They share diseases like blight

Rotate where you grow potatoes every 3–4 years.

Prepare the Soil

Potatoes thrive in:

• Slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5–6.5)
• Loose, sandy loam

Before planting, amend with:

• Compost or aged manure
• A handful of bone meal (promotes strong tubers)
• Avoid fresh manure—it encourages scab and excessive foliage

Seed Potato Prep

1. Use certified seed potatoes—never grocery store potatoes (they carry diseases).
2. For large seed potatoes, cut into pieces with at least 1–2 eyes.
3. Let cut pieces dry for 24–48 hours to prevent rot.

Potatoes are incredibly adaptable. Choose the method that fits your space, soil, and gardening style.

Traditional In-Ground Planting

Best for: Large gardens, high yields.

How to do it:

1. Dig a trench 15–20 cm (6–8″) deep.
2. Space seed pieces 30 cm (12″) apart.
3. Rows should be 75–90 cm (30–36″) apart.
4. Cover with 7–10 cm (3–4″) of soil.
5. As plants grow, hill soil up the stems every 1–2 weeks until 20–25 cm (8–10″) tall.

Why it works:

Hilling protects tubers from sunlight, increases yield, and stabilizes plants.

Raised Bed Planting

Best for: Quick-warming soil, higher productivity per square foot.

Steps:

• Plant 10–12 cm (4–5″) deep.
• Hill with loose soil, compost, or straw as plants grow.
• Beds warm earlier, meaning faster growth in spring.

Growing potatoes in bags

Container or Grow-Bag Planting

Best for: Balconies, small yards, poor soil conditions.

How to do it:

1. Use a 10–15 gallon pot or specialized potato bag.
2. Add 10 cm of soil, place seed potatoes, and cover lightly.
3. Hill with soil or straw as stems grow.
4. Water consistently—containers dry quickly.

Pros:

• Minimal disease
• Easy to harvest (just dump the bag)
• Perfect for beginners

Growing potatoes in straw

Straw or Mulch Planting

Best for: Easy harvesting, low-dig gardening.

How to do it:

1. Lay potatoes on the soil surface.
2. Cover with 20–30 cm (8–12″) of straw.
3. Add more as needed during the season.
4. Harvest by pulling back straw.

Benefits:

• Eliminates weeding
• Clean potatoes
• No hilling required

“Lasagna” Method (Compost Layering)

Best for: Building soil while growing a crop. Works especially well on top of lawn or compacted ground.

Steps:

1. Place seed potatoes on the soil surface.
2. Add layers of compost, shredded leaves, and straw.
3. Keep moist.
4. Tubers form within the layers.

Watering

• Consistent moisture is key, especially during tuber formation (4–8 weeks after planting).
• Avoid overwatering—too wet = rot.

Fertilizing

• Side dress with compost mid-season.
• Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers which cause lanky vines and fewer tubers.

Hilling

• Essential for in-ground and raised bed methods.
• Hilling should continue until plants bloom.

Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata)

Leptinotarsa decemlineata

• Hand-pick eggs and beetles.
• Mulch heavily to deter them.
• Rotate crops yearly.

Early Blight / Late Blight (Phytophthora infestans)

• Water at soil level, not overhead.
• Ensure good spacing and airflow.

Potato Scab (Streptomyces scabies)

• Caused by alkaline soil
• Avoid fresh manure
• Maintain slightly acidic soil

Wireworms – Click Beetle (Elateridae family)

• Common in newly turned lawn areas
• Use traps (pieces of carrot buried in soil)

New potatoes

Early potatoes (new potatoes): When plants flower.

Main harvest: 2 weeks after vines yellow and die back—this allows skins to harden.

Storage Tips:

• Cure for 7–10 days in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area.
• Store at 4–7°C in darkness.
• Keep dry to avoid rot.

To quote Sam Gamgee in the movie, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,“Po-tay-toes! Boil ’em, mash ’em, stick ’em in a *stew*! Lovely big, golden… chips with a nice piece of fried fish.”

Potatoes are one of the most forgiving crops for Edmonton gardeners, and one of the most productive. With a mix of varieties and a planting method that fits your space, you can enjoy fresh, homegrown potatoes from July through winter storage. Whether you prefer the ease of straw gardening, the control of containers, or the classic in-ground tradition, potatoes deliver delicious rewards for minimal effort.

Remember: the best treasures are the ones you dig up yourself. Happy gardening everyone!