How to Grow Magnet Potato
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Magnet Potato
Solanum tuberosum 'Magnet'
vegetableMagnet is a mid-season potato variety prized for its excellent disease resistance, particularly to late blight, and its smooth, yellow skin with shallow eyes. It produces good yields of uniform, medium-sized tubers ideal for boiling, mashing, and general cooking. The variety is popular in home gardens and commercial cultivation due to its reliability and storage capability.
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Example Magnet Potato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Magnet 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 Magnet Potato
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Magnet Potato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-8; prefers cooler climates but can be grown in zone 8 with proper timing
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Seed Piece & Sprouting
2-3 weeksSeed potato pieces are planted and begin to sprout underground. Shoots emerge within 2-3 weeks depending on soil temperature.
Plant after last frost when soil reaches 45°F. Ensure good drainage to prevent seed piece rot. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Vegetative Growth & Emergence
3-4 weeksShoots emerge and develop leaves above ground. Plants grow rapidly with expanding foliage, and new stolons form underground where tubers will develop.
Hill soil around plants as they grow (mound 4-6 inches of soil around stems) to promote tuber development and prevent greening. Apply mulch to regulate soil temperature and moisture. Monitor for early blight or pests.
Tuber Development & Flowering
4-5 weeksUnderground tubers begin to swell and enlarge. Above ground, plants may produce small white, pink, or red flowers depending on variety. Foliage reaches full size.
Continue hilling and mulching. Maintain consistent water supply—critical for tuber sizing. Watch for late blight, especially in wet conditions; Magnet has good resistance but monitor anyway. Avoid nitrogen-heavy fertilizer to prevent excessive foliage at expense of tubers.
Maturation & Skin Set
3-4 weeksTubers reach full size and skins harden. Foliage begins to yellow and wilt as the plant moves toward dormancy. Seed tubers are mature and ready to harvest.
Reduce watering gradually as plants mature. Stop watering 1-2 weeks before harvest to improve skin set and storage quality. Do not fertilize during this stage. Harvest when foliage is completely dead or 2-3 weeks after flowering.
Harvest & Storage
Variable (storage stage extends weeks to months)Foliage has fully died back. Tubers are dug from the soil and cured before storage. Magnet stores well for several months.
Harvest on a dry day. Cure potatoes in a dark, cool (50-60°F), well-ventilated space for 10-14 days to harden skins. Store in darkness at 40-50°F with 85-90% humidity. Check regularly for sprouting or rot.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick adults and egg clusters; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce natural predators; crop rotation; Spinosad spray if infestation is severe.
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Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings.
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Magnet has good resistance, but in wet years apply copper fungicide or sulfur-based fungicides; ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering; remove infected foliage; practice crop rotation.
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Remove lower leaves as plants grow; apply fungicide if necessary; ensure adequate spacing and mulching; destroy infected foliage.
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Crop rotation; remove soil debris; trap crops; soil moisture management; beneficial nematodes; avoid planting in recently sod-covered areas.
Uses
All-Purpose Cooking
CulinaryMagnet potatoes have firm, waxy flesh that holds its shape well, making them ideal for boiling, steaming, and adding to stews and soups. Their smooth texture also works well for mashing and potato salads. [source]
Yellow-Fleshed Versatility
CulinaryThe yellow flesh and mild flavor make Magnet suitable for a wide range of cuisines and preparations, from traditional European dishes to modern fusion cooking. [source]
Storage & Keeping Quality
HouseholdMagnet potatoes have excellent storage longevity, keeping for several months in cool, dark conditions. This makes them ideal for homesteaders and those wanting year-round potato availability. [source]
Nutritional Value
MedicinalPotatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, and B vitamins. When prepared without excess fats, they contribute to balanced nutrition and serve as a staple carbohydrate source. [source]
Seed Potato Production
CraftMagnet potatoes can be saved and replanted as seed potatoes, allowing gardeners to produce their own planting stock year after year, reducing costs and building self-sufficiency. [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 completely died back, typically 90-110 days after planting. For new potatoes, harvest 2-3 weeks earlier when plants are still flowering. Dig carefully to avoid bruising. Harvest on a dry day. Allow harvested tubers to cure in a dark, cool, well-ventilated space for 10-14 days before storage. Store in darkness at 40-50°F with high humidity.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Magnet is a Dutch potato variety developed for superior late blight resistance, a disease that devastated potato crops for centuries and triggered historical famines.
- 🌱 Potato plants produce small, toxic fruits (similar to cherry tomatoes) after flowering—these are not edible and should never be eaten, though the underground tubers are perfectly safe.
- 🌱 Magnet potatoes get their name partly because quality potatoes 'attract' gardeners and growers who appreciate disease resistance combined with reliable yields and excellent taste.
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