How to Grow CDC Redland Potato

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CDC Redland Potato

Solanum tuberosum 'CDC Redland'

vegetable

CDC Redland is a red-skinned potato variety developed by the Crop Development Centre at the University of Saskatchewan. It is a mid-season, dual-purpose potato suitable for both table use and processing, known for its attractive red skin and creamy yellow flesh. This variety offers good disease resistance and consistent yields.

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Example CDC Redland Potato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant CDC Redland Potato

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest CDC Redland Potato

    Around Jul 16

    ≈ 90 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact CDC Redland Potato dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum
💧
Water: Consistent moisture, approximately 1-1.5 inches per week. Avoid waterlogging; soil should be moist but not saturated. Increase watering during tuber bulking stage.
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Spacing: 12 inches
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Days to maturity: 90-110 days
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Planting depth: 4-6 inches deep, with 12 inches between seed pieces

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with good organic matter content
pH: 6.0-6.8
Amendments:
Compost or aged manure Peat moss or coconut coir for drainage Potassium-rich fertilizer Sulfur if pH is too high

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 2-7, particularly well-suited to cooler climates of western Canada

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a

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Growth Stages

1

Seed Piece Sprouting

2-3 weeks

Cut seed potatoes with at least 2 eyes are placed in soil. Sprouts emerge within 2-3 weeks.

Use disease-free certified seed potatoes. Plant in cool soil (50-60°F). Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

2

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Shoots emerge and plants develop foliage and root systems. Potato plants grow 12-18 inches tall with compound leaves.

Hill soil around plants when they reach 6 inches tall to encourage tuber formation and prevent greening. Apply mulch to regulate soil temperature and moisture.

3

Flowering

3-4 weeks

Plants produce white or light pink flowers on terminal clusters. Flowers indicate tuber initiation underground.

Maintain consistent watering during this critical period. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to encourage tuber bulking rather than excess foliage.

4

Tuber Bulking

4-6 weeks

Underground tubers expand rapidly while foliage remains green and productive. Tubers develop characteristic red skin.

Maintain even soil moisture—critical for consistent tuber size and quality. Mulch heavily to keep soil cool and prevent light exposure. Monitor for late blight.

5

Maturity & Harvest

Variable

Foliage yellows and dies back. Potato skin sets and hardens, indicating physiological maturity.

Stop watering 1-2 weeks before harvest to allow skins to set. Harvest when foliage is fully brown. Handle tubers gently to avoid bruising.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Avoid planting near:

Tomatoes Peppers Eggplants Fennel Brassicas Onions

Common Pests

  • Hand-pick adults and egg clusters early in season. Use row covers on young plants. Apply neem oil or spinosad if infestation is heavy. Encourage beneficial insects.

  • Use row covers until plants flower. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil. Plant resistant varieties when possible.

  • Spray with strong water stream to dislodge. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage ladybugs and lacewings.

  • Choose resistant varieties like CDC Redland. Avoid overhead irrigation. Provide good air circulation. Apply copper fungicide or mancozeb preventatively in wet conditions. Remove infected foliage immediately.

  • Mulch to prevent soil splash. Remove lower infected leaves. Apply fungicide if necessary. Ensure adequate spacing for air flow.

  • Rotate crops away from grains. Use trap crops. Encourage soil organisms. Apply beneficial nematodes to soil.

Uses

🍳

Table Use and Cooking

Culinary

CDC Redland's creamy yellow flesh and mild flavor make it excellent for boiling, mashing, and general table use. Its red skin is visually attractive and adds appeal to salads and dishes where the skin is retained during cooking. [source]

🍳

Processing and French Fries

Culinary

This variety's dual-purpose designation means it is suitable for commercial processing into french fries, chips, and other processed potato products due to consistent texture and quality. [source]

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Long-Term Storage

Household

CDC Redland stores exceptionally well in cool, dark conditions for 4-6 months, making it ideal for home gardeners seeking a winter supply of fresh potatoes without requiring freezing or special preservation. [source]

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Nutritional Value

Medicinal

Potatoes are excellent sources of potassium, vitamin C, and B vitamins. The red skin contains anthocyanins and phenolic compounds with antioxidant properties, contributing to overall health when consumed as part of a balanced diet. [source]

🦋

Livestock Feed

Wildlife

Culled or surplus potatoes can serve as supplemental feed for livestock and poultry, providing carbohydrates and some nutritional value in sustainable farm systems. [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 when foliage has fully died back and potato skins are set (late August to September, depending on planting date). Dig carefully with a fork to avoid bruising tubers. Cure harvested potatoes in a cool (50-60°F), dark, humid location for 10-14 days to allow skins to toughen. Store in cool (35-40°F), dark conditions with good ventilation. CDC Redland stores well for 4-6 months.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 CDC Redland was developed specifically for Canadian growing conditions and is widely grown across western Canada, particularly in Saskatchewan and Alberta, where it has become a popular choice among both commercial and home gardeners.
  • 🌱 Potatoes are the world's fourth-largest food crop after rice, wheat, and corn, and CDC Redland represents modern breeding efforts to combine disease resistance, yield, and market appeal in a single variety.
  • 🌱 The red pigmentation in potato skin comes from anthocyanins, the same beneficial compounds found in blueberries and red wine, and the intensity increases when potatoes are exposed to light during storage.

Gardening Terms

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