How to Grow Northern Acclaim
Northern Acclaim
Solanum tuberosum 'Northern Acclaim'
vegetableNorthern Acclaim is a high-yielding potato cultivar bred for northern climates and disease resistance. It produces medium to large, oblong tubers with white skin and flesh, ideal for boiling and general-purpose cooking. This variety is prized for its early maturity and strong resistance to late blight and other common potato diseases.
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Example Northern Acclaim timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Northern Acclaim
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 Northern Acclaim
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Northern Acclaim dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-6; particularly suited to northern regions
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Seed Piece Sprouting
10-14 daysSeed pieces develop eyes with white sprouts emerging; underground root development begins
Plant chitted (pre-sprouted) seed pieces in cool, moist soil. Ensure good soil temperature (50-60°F). Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Emergence & Early Growth
2-3 weeksSprouts break through soil surface; above-ground stems and leaves develop; compound leaves appear
Hill soil around emerging plants when stems reach 6-8 inches to prevent greening of tubers. Apply loose mulch to maintain soil moisture and temperature. Scout for early pests.
Vegetative Development
3-4 weeksVigorous leaf and stem growth; dense canopy establishes; underground stolons form and begin tuber initiation
Hill soil 2-3 more times during this stage to keep developing tubers covered. Water consistently. Apply balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) or potassium-rich fertilizer. Maintain disease monitoring.
Flowering & Tuber Bulking
4-6 weeksWhite or light pink flowers appear; tubers begin rapid size increase below soil; plant reaches maximum height
This is the critical bulking phase. Ensure consistent watering (1-1.5 inches weekly). Monitor closely for late blight; remove lower leaves if humidity is high. Northern Acclaim has strong blight resistance but preventive care is worthwhile.
Maturation & Harvest Readiness
2-3 weeks pre-harvestFoliage begins to yellow and senescence; tubers reach full size; skin thickens and hardens
Reduce watering 2-3 weeks before intended harvest to let skin cure. Kill back foliage by cutting stems at soil level or waiting for natural senescence. This improves skin set and storage quality. Wait 10-14 days after vine death before digging.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick adults and egg clusters; use spinosad or neem oil spray; encourage beneficial insects; rotate crops; grow resistant varieties like Northern Acclaim
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Use row covers over young plants; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; maintain good plant vigor; remove weeds that harbor leafhoppers
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Crop rotation (3-4 year cycle); till soil in fall to expose larvae; use beneficial entomopathogenic nematodes; avoid planting in freshly broken grassland
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Spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage ladybugs and lacewings; yellow sticky traps for monitoring
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Northern Acclaim is highly resistant, but preventive care includes: proper spacing for air circulation, remove lower leaves in wet conditions, mulch to prevent soil splash, apply copper-based fungicide if needed, destroy infected plants
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Avoid fresh manure; maintain pH 5.5-6.0; provide consistent moisture; improve drainage; use clean seed pieces; crop rotation
Uses
Boiling & General Cooking
CulinaryNorthern Acclaim's white flesh and waxy texture make it ideal for boiling, steaming, and general-purpose cooking. It holds its shape well during cooking, making it excellent for potato salads, soups, and stews. [source]
Mashing & Side Dishes
CulinaryThe creamy white flesh produces smooth, consistent mashes and is suitable for gratins, shepherd's pie, and other traditional potato dishes. [source]
Nutritional Source
MedicinalPotatoes are rich in potassium, vitamin C, and B vitamins. The white-fleshed variety provides carbohydrates and resistant starch when cooked and cooled. [source]
Long-term Storage & Food Security
HouseholdNorthern Acclaim's excellent storage quality (4-5 months in proper conditions) makes it ideal for home food preservation and winter supplies. [source]
Seed Potato Production
CraftHome gardeners in northern zones can save and re-grow Northern Acclaim seed potatoes year after year, making it economical and regionally adapted. [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 at full maturity (75-90 days) when vines have died back or turned brown. Carefully dig with a fork, working from outside the plant inward to avoid bruising tubers. Harvest on a dry day. Leave skin intact if possible. For storage, cure tubers in a dark, well-ventilated area at 45-60°F and 85-95% humidity for 10-14 days to harden skin. Store at 35-40°F in darkness for up to 4-5 months. Early harvests of smaller tubers are possible at 60-70 days.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Northern Acclaim was developed specifically for short-season growing regions and was named for its success in northern climates, making it particularly valuable for Canadian and northern U.S. growers.
- 🌱 Potatoes are the world's fourth-largest food crop by mass, after rice, wheat, and corn, and Northern Acclaim is bred to maximize yields in cool climates where other varieties struggle.
- 🌱 The compound in potatoes called solanine is produced in the green parts (exposed to light) as a natural pesticide; proper hilling prevents tubers from turning green and accumulating this alkaloid.
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