How to Grow Burbank Potato
Wikimedia Commons
Burbank Potato
Solanum tuberosum 'Burbank'
vegetableThe Burbank is a high-yielding, russet-type potato variety developed by Luther Burbank in the 1870s that became one of the most important potato cultivars in North America. It features elongated tubers with thick, brown, netted skin and white flesh, making it ideal for baking, frying, and processing. This variety is prized for its versatility and reliable production in diverse growing conditions.
When should you plant Burbank 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 Burbank Potato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Burbank Potato
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Burbank Potato
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Burbank Potato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-8; grows best in cooler climates but adapts well to moderate zones
Sign up free to see if Burbank Potato grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Burbank Potato timeline →Growth Stages
Seed Piece & Sprout
2-3 weeksSeed pieces are planted and begin to sprout; initial shoot emerges from the seed piece
Ensure soil temperature is 45°F or higher. Keep soil consistently moist. Protect from frost if late cold snaps occur.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksLeafy vines grow rapidly, reaching 12-24 inches tall; stolons (underground stems) begin to form
Hill soil around stems to encourage tuber development and prevent greening. Apply fertilizer high in potassium. Monitor for pests and diseases.
Tuber Development
4-6 weeksSwollen tubers form at the ends of stolons underground; vines continue growing but growth slows
Maintain consistent, even watering. Continue hilling if needed. Avoid overhead watering to reduce disease pressure.
Maturation
2-3 weeksTubers reach full size; skin thickens and toughens; vines may begin to yellow and die back
Reduce watering in final weeks to allow skin to harden. Watch for late blight, especially in humid conditions.
Harvest
1 weekVines have died back completely; tubers are fully mature with hardened skin ready for storage
Harvest when soil is dry or slightly moist. Handle tubers gently to avoid bruising. Cure at 50-60°F with high humidity for 2 weeks before storage.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Hand-pick beetles and egg clusters; use insecticidal soap; neem oil; rotate crops yearly; plant trap crops
-
Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; introduce ladybugs; reflective mulches; strong water spray
-
Use insecticides; control weeds (reservoir hosts); reflective mulches; resistant varieties
-
Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; remove infected foliage promptly; fungicides containing chlorothalonil or copper; choose disease-resistant varieties
-
Remove lower infected leaves; mulch to prevent soil splash; fungicides; rotate crops; adequate spacing for air flow
-
Till soil to expose larvae; use beneficial nematodes; crop rotation; trap crops like wheat or alfalfa
Uses
Baking and Frying
CulinaryBurbank potatoes are ideal for baking, mashing, and French fries due to their starchy, fluffy texture and mild flavor. Their elongated shape is particularly suited to commercial and home frying applications. [source]
Industrial Processing
CulinaryThe Burbank is the primary variety used in commercial potato processing for frozen fries, chips, and dehydrated products due to its high yield and consistent quality. [source]
Food Storage
HouseholdBurbanks have excellent storage longevity, remaining viable for several months in proper cool, dark conditions, making them ideal for long-term household food security. [source]
Resistant Starch
MedicinalWhen cooked and cooled, Burbank potatoes develop resistant starch, a prebiotic that supports digestive health and gut microbiota diversity. [source]
Wildlife Food Source
WildlifePotato plants and surplus tubers provide food for various wildlife, and they help support pollinator populations during flowering, though pest management should limit damage. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest 70-90 days after planting when vines have mostly died back and skin has hardened. Dig carefully to avoid cutting tubers. For storage potatoes, cure at 50-60°F with 85-95% humidity for 2 weeks, then store at 35-40°F in dark conditions. Burbanks store well for 3-5 months.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Luther Burbank developed the Burbank potato in 1873 and made it available royalty-free to farmers, earning him the nickname 'the wizard of agriculture.' The variety became so important that it was featured on a U.S. postage stamp.
- 🌱 The Burbank potato was instrumental in improving food security in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is credited with supporting population growth and farming viability in North America and beyond.
- 🌱 During the Irish Potato Famine, the Burbank had not yet been developed. Ironically, the Burbank's blight-resistant characteristics helped prevent future famines in subsequent years after its introduction.
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Burbank Potato planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Burbank 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 Burbank Potato timeline →