What Are Red Potatoes Called – A Gardener’S Guide To Growing And

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Ever found yourself browsing seed catalogs or wandering through a farmers’ market, admiring those beautiful, firm potatoes with their distinctive reddish skin, and wondering, “Exactly what are red potatoes called?” You’re not alone! It’s a common query among gardeners and home cooks alike, and for good reason. These versatile tubers are a staple in many kitchens, and their robust nature makes them a fantastic choice for the home garden.

Here at Greeny Gardener, we understand the joy of harvesting your own bounty. That’s why we’re here to demystify these ruby gems of the garden. We’ll not only uncover the various names and characteristics of these beloved spuds but also provide you with a comprehensive what are red potatoes called guide to cultivating them successfully. By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with all the insights and practical tips to grow a thriving crop of your very own red potatoes, from selecting the right variety to enjoying a delicious harvest. Let’s dig in!

Unearthing the Mystery: What Are Red Potatoes Called?

When we talk about “red potatoes,” we’re actually referring to a category of potato varieties that share the common trait of having reddish or pinkish skin. Unlike white or russet potatoes, “red potato” isn’t a single, specific variety, but rather a descriptive term that encompasses several popular types. Think of it like “apple” – there are many kinds of apples, and so it is with red potatoes!

These potatoes typically have a thin skin, waxy texture, and a moist, white or sometimes slightly pinkish flesh. They hold their shape exceptionally well when cooked, making them ideal for boiling, roasting, and salads. Understanding what are red potatoes called in terms of specific varieties can help you choose the best type for your garden and culinary needs.

The “Red Potato” Family Tree: Popular Varieties

While many varieties fall under the “red potato” umbrella, a few stand out for their popularity and excellent growing characteristics. Here are some of the most common:

  • Red Norland: This is perhaps one of the most widely recognized red potato varieties. It’s an early-season potato, known for its smooth, bright red skin and shallow eyes, making it easy to peel. Red Norlands are excellent all-around potatoes, great for boiling, mashing, and roasting.
  • Red Pontiac: A slightly later maturing variety than Norland, Red Pontiac potatoes are famous for their deep red skin and slightly rougher texture. They’re very productive and adapt well to various soil types, offering excellent storage qualities.
  • Red LaSoda: Often confused with Red Norland due to its early maturity and bright red skin, Red LaSoda is another fantastic choice. It’s particularly well-suited for southern climates and is known for its high yields and resistance to some common potato diseases.
  • Chieftain: These potatoes boast deep red skin and bright white flesh. Chieftains are medium to late-season varieties, known for their good storage potential and resistance to common scab.
  • Red Sangre: A relatively newer variety, Red Sangre is gaining popularity for its vibrant red skin, white flesh, and good cooking qualities, especially for boiling and salads.

Each of these varieties, while sharing the “red potato” designation, offers subtle differences in maturity, yield, disease resistance, and culinary application. Exploring these options is part of the fun of gardening!

Why Grow Red Potatoes? Benefits Beyond Beauty

Beyond simply knowing what are red potatoes called, understanding their advantages can inspire you to dedicate a spot in your garden to these lovely tubers. The benefits of what are red potatoes called are numerous, extending from their culinary versatility to their relatively straightforward cultivation.

First and foremost, red potatoes are a chef’s dream. Their waxy texture means they don’t fall apart easily when boiled or roasted, making them perfect for potato salads, gratins, or simply as a hearty side dish. Imagine serving a vibrant potato salad made with fresh-from-the-garden red potatoes – the flavor is simply unparalleled!

From a nutritional standpoint, red potatoes, like all potatoes, are packed with essential vitamins and minerals. They’re a good source of Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, potassium, and dietary fiber. Plus, eating them with their thin skins on boosts their fiber content even further.

For the gardener, red potatoes are often considered quite forgiving. Many varieties are robust growers, offering good yields even for beginner gardeners. Their relatively early maturity in some varieties also means you can enjoy a harvest sooner than with some other potato types.

Your Red Potato Growing Guide: How to Get Started

Ready to embark on your red potato growing adventure? This comprehensive what are red potatoes called guide will walk you through the essential steps, from selecting your seed to getting them into the ground. Following these foundational steps is crucial for a healthy, productive crop.

Choosing Your Seed Potatoes

The journey to a successful red potato harvest begins with the right seed. Always purchase certified disease-free seed potatoes from a reputable supplier. These are specially grown for planting and are free from the viruses and diseases that can plague garden potatoes. Avoid using grocery store potatoes, as they are often treated with sprout inhibitors and may carry diseases.

Before planting, many gardeners “chit” or sprout their seed potatoes. This process encourages strong, healthy sprouts before they even hit the soil. Simply place your seed potatoes in a single layer in a cool, bright (but not sunny) location for 2-4 weeks. You’ll see short, stubby green sprouts emerge. If your seed potatoes are large (larger than a chicken egg), you can cut them into pieces, ensuring each piece has at least one or two “eyes” (sprouts). Let the cut pieces air dry for a day or two to form a protective callus before planting.

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Site Selection and Soil Preparation

Red potatoes thrive in full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Choose a spot in your garden that receives ample light throughout the growing season. Proper soil is equally important for these underground treasures.

They prefer loose, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic (pH 5.0-6.0) and rich in organic matter. Heavy clay soils can impede tuber development and lead to rot. If your soil is heavy, amend it generously with compost, well-rotted manure, or other organic materials to improve drainage and fertility. A good rule of thumb is to prepare your soil deeply, at least 8-12 inches, ensuring it’s loose and crumbly.

Planting Your Red Potatoes

The best time to plant red potatoes is in early spring, about 2-4 weeks before your last anticipated frost date, once the soil can be worked. In warmer climates, you might even get a fall crop.

Here’s how to what are red potatoes called for planting:

  1. Dig Trenches or Hills: You can plant in trenches about 6-8 inches deep or create hills. Trenches are often preferred for easier hilling later.
  2. Spacing: Place your seed potato pieces, cut side down (or sprout side up if chitted), about 10-12 inches apart in the trench.
  3. Row Spacing: If planting multiple rows, space them 2-3 feet apart to allow for proper hilling and air circulation.
  4. Cover: Gently cover the seed potato pieces with about 3-4 inches of soil.
  5. Water: Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil.

If you’re short on garden space, red potatoes can also be grown successfully in large containers, grow bags, or even old tires. Just ensure they have adequate drainage holes and use a high-quality potting mix.

Red Potato Care Guide: Best Practices for a Bountiful Harvest

Once your red potatoes are in the ground, consistent care is key to ensuring a healthy, productive crop. This what are red potatoes called care guide covers all the essential aspects, from watering to pest control, incorporating what are red potatoes called best practices and valuable what are red potatoes called tips.

Watering Wisely

Potatoes need consistent moisture, especially during key growth stages like flowering and tuber formation. Aim for about 1-2 inches of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation. Uneven watering can lead to misshapen tubers or issues like common scab.

Water deeply and less frequently rather than shallowly and often. This encourages deeper root growth. Avoid overhead watering late in the day, which can promote fungal diseases. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses are excellent choices for efficient and targeted watering.

Hilling and Mulching

Hilling is a critical practice for potato growers. As your potato plants grow (when they reach about 6-8 inches tall), gently mound soil around the base of the stems, leaving only the top few inches of foliage exposed. Repeat this process every few weeks as the plants grow, creating a ridge or “hill” of soil around them.

Why hill? It serves several purposes:

  • Protects Tubers: It keeps developing tubers covered, preventing them from turning green and toxic (due to solanine exposure to sunlight).
  • Increases Yield: More stems are covered, encouraging more tubers to form along the buried stem.
  • Weed Suppression: The mounds help smother weeds around the base of the plants.

Applying a layer of organic mulch, such as straw or shredded leaves, around your potato plants after hilling offers additional benefits. Mulch helps retain soil moisture, suppresses weeds, and moderates soil temperature, providing a more stable environment for tuber development.

Feeding Your Plants

Red potatoes are moderate to heavy feeders. A balanced fertilizer, or one slightly higher in phosphorus and potassium, is generally recommended. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can promote lush foliage at the expense of tuber development.

If you amended your soil with compost and manure before planting, your plants might need less supplemental feeding. However, a light feeding with a balanced organic fertilizer once the plants start to flower can be beneficial. Always follow package directions for application rates.

Pest and Disease Management: Common Problems with Red Potatoes

Even with the best care, you might encounter some common problems with what are red potatoes called, mainly pests and diseases. Early detection and proactive measures are your best defense.

Common Pests:

  • Colorado Potato Beetle: These striped beetles and their reddish-orange larvae can quickly defoliate plants. Hand-picking them off plants and dropping them into a bucket of soapy water is effective for small gardens. Neem oil can also deter them.
  • Potato Leafhopper: These tiny, wedge-shaped insects suck sap from leaves, causing them to curl and turn yellow or brown, a condition known as “hopperburn.” Row covers can prevent them, and insecticidal soaps can manage infestations.

Common Diseases:

  • Early Blight: Characterized by dark brown spots with concentric rings (like a target) on older leaves. Proper spacing for air circulation and avoiding overhead watering can help. Remove affected leaves.
  • Late Blight: A more serious fungal disease, especially in cool, wet weather, causing water-soaked spots on leaves that turn brown/black. It can quickly devastate a crop. Proper spacing, resistant varieties, and fungicidal sprays (organic options exist) are crucial.
  • Common Scab: Causes rough, corky lesions on the potato skin. While unsightly, it doesn’t affect eating quality unless severe. It’s more prevalent in alkaline soils; maintaining a slightly acidic pH can help.

Practicing crop rotation is one of the most effective strategies for preventing both pests and diseases. Avoid planting potatoes (or other solanaceous crops like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants) in the same spot for at least 3-4 years.

Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Red Potato Growing

For the environmentally conscious gardener, incorporating sustainable what are red potatoes called practices is a rewarding way to grow your food. These methods not only benefit the planet but often lead to healthier plants and richer soil.

Crop rotation, as mentioned, is paramount. It breaks pest and disease cycles and helps maintain soil fertility. Following potatoes with a legume crop (like beans or peas) can replenish nitrogen in the soil, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.

Composting is another cornerstone of eco-friendly gardening. By adding your kitchen scraps and yard waste to a compost pile, you create nutrient-rich organic matter that improves soil structure, water retention, and microbial life. This reduces your reliance on external inputs and diverts waste from landfills.

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Water conservation techniques are vital, especially in regions prone to drought. Using drip irrigation, soaker hoses, and thick layers of mulch significantly reduces water usage by delivering water directly to the plant roots and minimizing evaporation.

Consider companion planting. Certain plants can deter pests or attract beneficial insects. For potatoes, good companions include marigolds (deter nematodes), nasturtiums (trap aphids), and beans (add nitrogen). Avoid planting potatoes near sunflowers, tomatoes, or cucumbers, as they can compete for nutrients or share diseases.

Finally, embrace organic pest control methods. Instead of harsh chemicals, rely on hand-picking pests, using insecticidal soaps or neem oil, introducing beneficial insects, and maintaining a diverse garden ecosystem that naturally keeps pest populations in check. These eco-friendly what are red potatoes called strategies ensure a healthy harvest for you and a healthy planet for all.

Harvesting Your Ruby Gems

The moment you’ve been waiting for! Knowing when and how to harvest your red potatoes is crucial for maximizing yield and ensuring good storage quality. There are generally two types of harvests for red potatoes: “new” potatoes and “storage” potatoes.

New Potatoes: If you’re eager for an early taste, you can gently “rob” a few new potatoes when the plants are flowering, about 7-8 weeks after planting. Carefully dig around the base of the plant with your hands or a small trowel, taking only a few small tubers, and then re-cover the plant. These small, tender potatoes are a gourmet treat!

Storage Potatoes: For your main harvest, intended for storage, wait until the plant foliage begins to yellow and die back naturally, typically 90-120 days after planting, depending on the variety. This indicates that the tubers have matured and developed a tougher skin, which is essential for long-term storage.

Once the foliage has completely died back, wait another 1-2 weeks before digging. This allows the skins to “set” fully. On a dry, sunny day, carefully dig around the plants with a digging fork, starting about 6-12 inches away from the main stem to avoid piercing the tubers. Gently lift the entire plant, shaking off excess soil. Be gentle, as bruised potatoes won’t store well.

After harvesting, allow your red potatoes to “cure” for 1-2 weeks in a cool (50-60°F or 10-15°C), dark, and humid place. This curing process heals any minor wounds and further toughens the skin, significantly improving their storage life. After curing, store them in a cool (40-45°F or 4-7°C), dark, and well-ventilated location, like a root cellar or unheated basement. Do not store them in the refrigerator, as the cold can convert their starches to sugars, affecting flavor and texture.

Frequently Asked Questions About Red Potatoes

How long do red potatoes take to grow?

Most red potato varieties mature in about 90-120 days from planting. Early varieties like Red Norland can be ready in as little as 70-80 days for new potatoes, while full maturity for storage might take closer to 90 days. Always check the specific variety’s maturity date.

Can I grow red potatoes from grocery store potatoes?

While it’s technically possible, it’s generally not recommended. Grocery store potatoes are often treated with sprout inhibitors, making them difficult to grow. More importantly, they may carry diseases that could infect your garden soil and future crops. Always opt for certified disease-free seed potatoes from a reputable garden supplier.

What’s the best way to store red potatoes?

After harvesting and curing, store red potatoes in a cool (40-45°F or 4-7°C), dark, and humid location with good air circulation. A mesh bag, cardboard box, or slatted bin in a root cellar, unheated basement, or garage works well. Avoid storing them near onions or apples, as gases released by these can cause potatoes to sprout faster.

Are red potatoes easier to grow than other types?

Many gardeners find red potatoes, particularly varieties like Red Norland and Red Pontiac, to be quite robust and relatively easy to grow, making them a good choice for beginners. Their disease resistance and adaptability to various conditions can make them less finicky than some other potato types.

Why are my red potato leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves can indicate several issues. It might be a natural sign of maturity as the plant prepares for harvest. However, early yellowing could point to nutrient deficiencies (especially nitrogen), overwatering or underwatering, disease (like early blight), or pest infestation (such as leafhoppers). Observe your plants closely and address the potential cause.

Conclusion

From understanding exactly what are red potatoes called to mastering the art of growing them, you’re now well-equipped to add these versatile and beautiful tubers to your garden. We’ve explored their distinct names, celebrated their culinary and garden benefits, and provided a detailed guide on planting, caring for, and harvesting your crop.

Remember, gardening is a journey of learning and discovery. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different red potato varieties or adjust your techniques based on your unique garden conditions. With the right knowledge and a little bit of patience, you’ll soon be enjoying the unparalleled taste of homegrown red potatoes. So, grab your seed potatoes, prepare your soil, and get ready to unearth a bountiful harvest of these delightful ruby gems. Happy gardening!

Rimon Chowdhury
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