How to Grow Atlantico Potato
Wikimedia Commons
Atlantico Potato
Solanum tuberosum 'Atlantico'
vegetableAtlantico is a high-yielding potato cultivar developed in the Netherlands, known for its yellow flesh, smooth skin, and excellent culinary versatility. This mid-season variety produces uniform, oblong tubers with shallow eyes and is prized for fresh market sales, processing, and storage. It's popular in both commercial agriculture and home gardens for its reliability and consistent quality.
When should you plant Atlantico Potato in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Atlantico Potato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Atlantico Potato
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Atlantico Potato
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Atlantico Potato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-8, prefers cooler climates with moderate summers
Sign up free to see if Atlantico Potato grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Atlantico Potato timeline →Growth Stages
Seed Piece Sprouting
2-3 weeksPotato seed pieces develop sprouts and roots underground while soil warms to 45°F+
Plant seed pieces 4 inches deep, cut 1-2 eyes per piece; ensure soil is moist but not waterlogged; wait for soil temperature to reach 45°F minimum
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlants emerge and develop foliage; stolons form underground and begin tuber initiation
Hill soil around plants as they grow to prevent green tubers; maintain consistent watering; apply balanced fertilizer; watch for pests like Colorado potato beetles
Tuber Bulking
3-4 weeksTubers rapidly enlarge; plants reach full canopy with dense green foliage
Maintain even soil moisture (critical stage); continue hilling for larger yields; monitor for late blight in humid conditions; reduce nitrogen fertilizer
Maturation
1-2 weeksFoliage begins to yellow and die back; skin on tubers hardens and sets
Stop watering 1-2 weeks before harvest to reduce disease and improve storage quality; leave tubers in ground for skin maturation if frost is 2+ weeks away
Harvest
Harvest over 1-2 weeksFoliage fully senescent; tubers firm and ready for digging
Harvest after foliage dies completely or 1-2 weeks before first frost; cure in cool, dark, well-ventilated area (55-60°F) for 2 weeks before storage
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Hand-pick adults and egg clusters; use row covers on seedlings; apply neem oil or spinosad; plant marigolds and nasturtiums as trap crops
-
Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap; release lady beetles; plant companion herbs like cilantro and dill
-
Improve air circulation through proper spacing and hilling; avoid overhead watering; apply copper fungicide at first sign; remove infected foliage promptly
-
Remove lower leaves as they age; apply fungicide; ensure good drainage; mulch to prevent soil splash on foliage
-
Crop rotation; till in beneficial nematodes; trap with potato pieces buried in soil before planting; remove upon discovery
Uses
Versatile All-Purpose Potato
CulinaryAtlantico's yellow flesh and waxy texture make it ideal for boiling, steaming, salads, and general cooking. Its firm structure holds shape well during cooking, making it suitable for both everyday meals and restaurant applications. [source]
French Fries & Processing
CulinaryThis variety is widely used by processors for frozen fries and chips due to its high yield, uniform size, and consistent quality. Its low reducing sugar content produces excellent color and texture in processed products. [source]
Long-Term Storage
HouseholdAtlantico has excellent storage characteristics with low respiration rates, making it ideal for winter storage. Properly cured and stored tubers can maintain quality for 4-6 months. [source]
Fresh Market Sales
CulinaryThe attractive appearance, smooth skin, and shallow eyes of Atlantico make it popular for fresh market sales. Its consistent shape and size command premium prices at farmers markets and grocery stores. [source]
Garden Pest Management
WildlifeCompanion planting marigolds and nasturtiums around Atlantico potatoes attracts beneficial insects and can reduce pest pressure on the crop while providing habitat for pollinators. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest when foliage has died back completely, typically 70-90 days after planting. Carefully dig tubers with a fork, starting 12 inches from plant stem to avoid bruising. Leave in cool, dark place for 2 weeks to cure before storing. Store in cool (45-50°F), dark, humid (85-90% humidity) conditions; they can keep 4-6 months.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Atlantico was developed by the Dutch research institute CPRO-DLO and released in 1990; the Netherlands is one of the world's leading potato breeding centers.
- 🌱 Potatoes are the fourth-largest food crop worldwide after rice, wheat, and corn, and Atlantico is one of the most commercially important varieties globally.
- 🌱 Unlike many potato varieties, Atlantico has relatively low glycoalkaloid content (natural toxic compounds), making it safer to eat when exposed to light and stored properly.
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Atlantico Potato planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Atlantico Potato seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Atlantico Potato timeline →