How to Grow Delicious Golden Yukon Potatoes in Your Garden

My seed potato-buying friend and I were both having a hard time as we filled out the order form. We left blanks on the line that said “preferred ship date.” ” How early do we want them to arrive, we asked ourselves as we do every year. Let’s go over that again and another question about when and how to plant, hill, and harvest potatoes. (That’s a row in my raised beds here, seen in late spring one recent year. ).

A lot of companies ship extra early because they use rough frost-date estimates for each area, which might not be the same as where you live. But is that really when I want the starts to arrive? I asked Alley Swiss of Filaree Farm, a longtime certified-organic farmer in Okanogan, Washington, whose main crops—garlic, shallots, and potatoes—are also favorites in my garden.

You may remember the well-known garlic-growing Q I’ve learned a lot from our conversations, like that it’s okay to wait a little while for the seed potatoes to come. ).

If you’re looking to add a versatile, nutritious crop to your vegetable garden, consider planting Yukon Gold potatoes. These golden-fleshed spuds are buttery and flavorful, perfect for roasting, mashing, or adding to soups and stews. Follow this guide to learn how to successfully grow Yukon Gold potatoes in your backyard.

Overview of Yukon Gold Potatoes

Yukon Gold potatoes were developed in the 1960s by crossing North American white and yellow potato varieties with wild South American potatoes. The result was a high-yielding cultivar with yellow skin and moist, yellow flesh

Compared to russet potatoes, Yukon Golds have a thinner, smoother skin and fluffier texture. Their flavor is described as rich, sweet, and nutty – almost buttery They contain good levels of vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, potassium, and antioxidants.

Yukon Golds are an early to mid-season variety, ready for harvest about 70-80 days after planting. The compact plants reach 1-2 feet tall and wide, producing oval tubers 3-8 inches long. Each plant yields around 3-5 pounds of potatoes on average.

This versatile spud is suitable for baking, mashing, frying, roasting, and using in soups or stews. Their moist texture holds together well after cooking without falling apart. They also make great potato salad. Compared to russets, Yukon Golds have a shorter dormancy period and do not store quite as long.

When and Where to Plant Yukon Gold Potatoes

Yukon Gold potatoes require full sun (at least 6 hours daily) and well-drained soil. They thrive in loamy soil or sandy loam enriched with compost or organic matter. The ideal pH range is 5.5-6.5.

Climate – Yukon Golds grow best with moderate temperatures, ideally around 60-70°F during the day They are not heat tolerant and will stop tuber production above 80°F
Season – Plant 1-2 weeks after your last expected spring frost date once soil warms to 45-50°F.
Location – Choose a spot that receives full sunlight.

How to Plant Yukon Gold Seed Potatoes

Yukon Gold potatoes are grown from seed potatoes, not true seeds. Seed potatoes should be certified disease-free and about the size of a small egg.

Follow these steps for planting:

Prepare soil with compost and nutrients 4-6 weeks before planting. Potatoes need phosphorus and potassium.
Cut seed potatoes into smaller pieces, making sure each piece has 1-2 “eyes”. Let pieces cure for 1-2 days before planting.

Dig trenches 8-12 inches apart and 3-4 inches deep. Space seed potato pieces 12 inches apart in the trench.
Cover pieces with 2 inches of soil and water well. Add more soil as plants grow until trenches are filled.
Gently mound soil around the base of plants once they are 12 inches tall to encourage tuber growth.

Consistent moisture and mulch will produce the best crop. Avoid fertilizer high in nitrogen.

Growing and Caring for Yukon Gold Plants

Potato plants require little maintenance if planted in suitable conditions. Here are a few tips:

Water 1-2 inches per week avoiding drought or waterlogged soil.
Hill or mound soil around stems as plants grow to 6-12 inches tall.
Use organic mulch like straw to maintain soil moisture and reduce weeds.

Scout for aphids, beetles, and other pests. Remove bugs by hand or use insecticidal soap.
Once flowering completes, reduce watering to encourage tuber growth.
Cut back watering further as foliage starts dying back to mature tubers.

Harvesting and Storing Yukon Gold Potatoes

Harvest potatoes 2-3 weeks after vines die back, about 70-80 days from planting.
Test dig around a few plants to check tuber size before harvesting all.
Use a spading fork to gently loosen soil and lift plants. Try not to stab tubers.

Spread potatoes in a dark, cool (45-60°F), humid place to cure for 1-2 weeks.
Store cured potatoes in a cool spot around 40°F for 2-5 months.
Check stored potatoes occasionally for rot and discard any affected tubers.

Enjoy your bountiful harvest of rich, nutty Yukon Gold potatoes! With the right planting site and care, you can grow buckets of these delicious tubers to use throughout the year.

Yukon Gold Potatoes – Planting to Harvest

FAQ

How long does it take to grow gold potatoes?

Market Characteristics. Yukon Gold matures in 80 to 95 days after planting, so may be harvested as an early season crop. Tubers are set early and bulk quickly. Summer yields under good conditions range between 300 and 400 cwt/acre and, in the autumn (full season), yields may get over 500 cwt/acre.

Are Yukon Gold potatoes hard to grow?

This vital spud is a herbaceous perennial plant which can grow year-round in moderate climates but will not survive hard frosts. Cold weather late in the season can damage entire crops of potatoes, making them more likely to bruise and rot during harvest and storage.

How to grow Yukon Gold potatoes in a bucket?

Plant 2 to 3 seed potatoes in each five-gallon bucket. The plants need plenty of room to grow and you should harvest about two pounds of potatoes per plant. How big should the container be to grow potatoes? The container should be at least 2 to 3 feet tall so the tubers have room to develop.

Do you hill up Yukon Gold potatoes?

My favorite potato is “Yukon Gold”, an early variety. It is a determinate type. You can hill it up all you want all summer long, but it will only produce one early set of potato tubers at the bottom of the “tower”.

How do you grow Yukon Gold potatoes?

Cover tubers with paper or towels and let them dry in a cool, dark place for a few days. Store them in a cool spot at 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. You can grow Yukon Gold potatoes by prepping and planting certified disease-free seed potatoes in a sunny spot in well-drained soil. Fertilize and water regularly to encourage strong tuber growth.

Do Yukon Gold potatoes need to be hilled?

2.**Hilling and Yukon Gold Potatoes:** – Unlike other potato varieties that benefit from regular hilling (mounding soil around the plants) to encourage more tuber formation, Yukon Gold potatoes don’t

How do you grow potatoes?

Buttery, creamy, rich. Tricia shows you two of the many ways to plant and grow potatoes. Learn how to plant potatoes in containers and in the garden soil. Hugelkultur is a german permaculture method that is great for growing squash, melons, and potatoes and other heavy feeders. Tricia shows an adapted method for growing potatoes.

How deep should a Yukon Gold potato plant be planted?

Potatoes should be planted about 4 inches deep. However, if planting in a cooler climate, you can plant them slightly deeper at 6 inches to protect them from frost. How Much Spacing Is Needed Between Yukon Gold Potato Plants? Plant your Yukon Gold potatoes with at least 12 inches between each plant.