Our Recommended Varieties for Denver: 

Butter Ball Potatoes

• Best for: Mashed potatoes, baking, and roasting
• Maturation Time: Medium (80-100 days)
• Ideal for: Smaller garden spaces or containers. Butter Ball potatoes are compact and versatile, producing creamy, buttery flesh. They are a great choice for Denver’s cooler spring temperatures and can be harvested relatively early in the growing season.

Russet Potatoes

• Best for: Baking, frying, and mashing
• Maturation Time: Medium to long (90-120 days)
• Ideal for: Larger garden spaces. Russets require a longer growing season to reach full maturity, making them a good option for gardeners with ample space. Although they take more time to grow, they tend to have higher yields, especially when planted in nutrient-rich soil.

Yukon Gold Potatoes

• Best for: Roasting, mashing, and boiling
• Maturation Time: Medium (85-100 days)
• Ideal for: Small to medium garden spaces. Yukon Gold potatoes are well-suited for raised beds, containers, or traditional rows in a garden, offering a golden flesh that’s both flavorful and versatile. 

Tips for Growing

Planting 

• Best Time to Plant: Up to 2 weeks before the last frost.
• Soil Temperature: At least 55°F during the day, 45°F at night.
• Depth: Plant seed pieces 4 inches deep.
• Spacing: Space them 1 foot apart in rows about 3 feet apart.
• Sprouts: Make sure “eyes” (sprouts) face up. Smaller potatoes, like fingerlings, can be planted closer together.

Location and Crop Rotation

• Planning: Avoid planting potatoes in the same spot year after year. Potatoes are part of the Solanaceae family (same as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants). Planting in the same area increases the risk of soil-borne diseases and pests specific to this family.
  

• Crop Location: Rotate potatoes with plants from different families, such as legumes (beans and peas), which can help enrich the soil with nitrogen. Aim to wait 3 years before planting potatoes in the same spot again.

Watering and Irrigation

• Water Needs: Consistent moisture, about 2 inches per week.
• Best Method: Use drip irrigation for steady watering at the base of the plant.
• Water Less as Plants Mature: Reduce water to encourage tuber growth in late summer.
  

Hilling and Mulching

• Hilling: Add 2 inches of soil around growing plants to cover tubers and protect from sunlight.
• Mulch: Use straw or wood chips to keep tubers covered and protect roots.
  

Harvesting Potatoes

• Signs of Maturity: Look for yellowing vines and skin that doesn’t peel off when rubbed.
• Timing: Harvest before the first frost. If plants are still green, cut vines back 1-2 weeks before harvest.
  Yield: Expect about 2 pounds per plant.
  

Storage

• Curing: After harvesting, store potatoes in a dark, cool (50-60°F), and humid place for 2 weeks to set the skin.
• Long-Term Storage: Keep in a cool, dark place at 40°F for longer storage. Use burlap bags or slotted bins for airflow.