How to Grow Blue Moon Potato
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Blue Moon Potato
Solanum tuberosum 'Blue Moon'
vegetableBlue Moon is a mid-season potato variety with striking blue-purple skin and flesh, prized for its unique color and excellent flavor. It produces medium-sized, oval tubers with a waxy, creamy texture that holds its shape well during cooking. This heirloom variety is increasingly popular with gardeners and chefs seeking distinctive, nutrient-rich potatoes.
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Example Blue Moon Potato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Blue Moon Potato
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Blue Moon Potato
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Blue Moon Potato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9, with best performance in zones 4-7
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Seed Piece Preparation
1-2 days before plantingSeed potatoes are cut into 1-2 ounce pieces, each containing at least one eye. Let cut surfaces air-dry and callus over before planting.
Use certified disease-free seed potatoes. Cut pieces should be allowed to sit 1-2 days before planting. Some gardeners dust with fungicide to prevent rot.
Sprouting & Root Development
3-4 weeksSeed pieces sprout and roots develop underground. First shoots emerge 2-3 weeks after planting. Soil should be cool (50-60°F) and consistently moist.
Ensure good soil drainage to prevent seed piece rot. Keep soil temperature cool; warmer soil (>80°F) can slow sprouting. Avoid disturbance during this stage.
Vegetative Growth & Hilling
4-6 weeksShoots emerge and foliage develops rapidly. Stolons form underground and begin swelling into tubers. Plant reaches 6-12 inches tall, forming multiple stems per plant.
Hill soil around stems 2-3 times as plants grow, covering any emerging tubers with 4-6 inches of loose soil. This prevents greening and sunburn. Maintain consistent moisture. Monitor for early blight and pests.
Tuber Development & Flowering
3-4 weeksPlants flower (Blue Moon produces lavender-purple flowers). Underground, tubers rapidly expand to mature size. Foliage becomes lush and dense.
Continue hilling if tubers appear above soil. Maintain consistent watering—stress causes misshapen tubers. Do not fertilize excessively with nitrogen (promotes leafy growth over tubers). Watch for late blight in humid conditions.
Harvest Readiness & Senescence
2-3 weeksFoliage yellows and begins to die back. Tuber skins thicken and set. Plants are ready for harvest when foliage is 75-100% dead. Early harvest (new potatoes) possible at 60-70 days if desired.
Stop watering 2-3 weeks before harvest to allow skins to cure and harden. For storage, harvest when foliage is fully dead. Handle tubers carefully to avoid bruising. Store in cool (45-50°F), dark, humid location.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick beetles and egg clusters daily. Use row covers on young plants. Spray neem oil or spinosad if infestation is severe. Rotate crops annually.
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Use row covers over seedlings. Spray neem oil or kaolin clay. Remove plant debris. Avoid planting near brassicas which attract flea beetles.
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Spray strong water stream to dislodge. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings.
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Use row covers to exclude insects. Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly if present. Remove affected leaves immediately.
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Remove lower leaves as plants grow. Ensure good air circulation through spacing. Avoid overhead watering. Remove affected foliage and destroy. Mulch to prevent soil splash.
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Plant resistant varieties. Remove infected foliage immediately. Spray copper fungicide or chlorothalonil weekly in humid conditions. Avoid overhead watering.
Uses
Specialty Cooking & Display
CulinaryBlue Moon potatoes are prized by chefs and home cooks for their striking blue-purple color that persists through cooking, making visually stunning mashed potatoes, salads, and gratins. The waxy texture holds shape well for boiling and potato salads. [source]
Nutritional Benefits
CulinaryThe blue pigmentation comes from anthocyanins, antioxidants linked to anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular health benefits. Blue Moon potatoes contain more vitamins and minerals than russet varieties, including vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants. [source]
Natural Dye
HouseholdThe blue-purple flesh can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, though it is not particularly colorfast. The vibrant tubers themselves serve as an edible conversation piece for the dinner table. [source]
Garden Biodiversity
WildlifePotato plants attract pollinators to their flowers and provide habitat for beneficial insects. Growing diverse potato varieties supports heirloom crop preservation and agricultural biodiversity. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest when foliage is mostly dead and skin does not rub off easily (usually 70-90 days after planting). Dig carefully with a garden fork to avoid bruising tubers. For storage potatoes, harvest when fully mature; for new potatoes, harvest at 60-70 days. Allow harvested potatoes to cure in a cool, dark place for 1-2 weeks before storage. Store in cool (45-50°F), dark, humid conditions (95% humidity). Blue Moon tubers have excellent storage life when properly cured.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Blue Moon is an heirloom variety with origins in South America, where the Andes are the native home of potatoes. Blue and purple-fleshed potatoes have been cultivated there for thousands of years.
- 🌱 The blue color comes from anthocyanins, the same antioxidant compounds found in blueberries and purple grapes, making these potatoes one of the most nutrient-dense potato varieties.
- 🌱 Blue Moon potatoes hold their striking color through cooking, unlike some other colored varieties that fade during boiling or baking—making them ideal for dramatic culinary presentations.
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