How to Grow Pee Wee Potato
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Pee Wee Potato
Solanum tuberosum 'Pee Wee'
vegetablePee Wee is a small, early-maturing potato variety prized for its creamy texture and waxy consistency. These thumb-sized potatoes are excellent for boiling, roasting, and creaming whole due to their minimal waste. The plants are compact and productive, making them ideal for small gardens and container growing.
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Example Pee Wee Potato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Pee Wee 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 Pee Wee Potato
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Pee Wee Potato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 3-9; best in cooler regions with consistent moisture
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Seed Potato Sprouting
2-4 weeks before plantingSeed potatoes develop sprouts or 'eyes' in cool storage before planting.
Pre-sprout seed potatoes in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area 2-4 weeks before planting. Each piece should have 1-2 strong eyes. Use certified seed potatoes to minimize disease.
Emergence & Vegetative Growth
2-3 weeksYoung plants sprout and develop compound leaves. Stems grow 4-6 inches tall and begin spreading.
Hill soil around emerging plants as they grow to 6 inches tall to prevent greening of tubers. Water consistently. Begin regular weeding. Apply mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Flowering & Tuber Development
3-4 weeksPlants flower with small white or pink blooms. Underground, tubers are actively expanding. Leaf canopy becomes dense and full.
Maintain consistent watering—critical at this stage for tuber size and quality. Continue hilling if needed. Monitor for pests and diseases. Fertilize once with balanced fertilizer if needed.
Bulking & Maturation
2-3 weeksFlowers fade, foliage remains green and healthy. Tubers reach full size. Skin thickens and toughens.
Reduce watering slightly after tubers form if soil moisture is adequate. Allow foliage to remain healthy to support tuber sizing. Watch for late blight or late-season pests.
Harvest Ready
1 weekFoliage yellows or dies back. Tubers are full-sized with firm, thick skin that doesn't rub off easily.
Stop watering 1-2 weeks before harvest to firm up tubers. Harvest when foliage is 75% dead or at 70-80 days. Cure in cool, humid storage before long-term storage.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick adults and egg clusters. Use row covers early in season. Apply spinosad or neem oil. Rotate crops annually. Plant trap crops (tansy, borage).
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Spray with strong water jet to dislodge. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage beneficial insects. Apply horticultural oil if infestation is heavy.
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Use row covers on young plants. Apply diatomaceous earth or neem oil. Plant trap crops like arugula nearby. Avoid planting near nightshades.
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Practice crop rotation. Remove debris and old potatoes from soil. Use beneficial predatory nematodes. Avoid planting in freshly sod areas.
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Improve air circulation with spacing. Avoid overhead watering. Remove affected foliage. Apply copper or sulfur fungicides. Plant resistant varieties when possible. Remove volunteers.
Uses
Whole Boiling & Creaming
CulinaryPee Wee potatoes are ideal for boiling whole without peeling due to their small size and waxy texture. Their creamy interior makes them perfect for creamed potatoes, potato salads, and serving alongside roasted meats. [source]
Roasting & Pan-Frying
CulinaryTheir small, uniform size ensures even cooking when roasted or pan-fried with oil, garlic, and herbs. They develop a golden, crispy exterior while maintaining a creamy center. [source]
Soups & Stews
CulinaryPee Wee potatoes add tender chunks to soups and stews, holding their shape well during cooking and contributing subtle potato flavor without overpowering other ingredients. [source]
Container & Small-Space Growing
HouseholdThe compact growth habit and early maturity make Pee Wee excellent for container gardens, raised beds, and small-scale home gardening where space is limited. [source]
Crop Rotation & Soil Health
WildlifeGrowing potatoes as part of a rotation cycle helps break pest cycles and can improve soil structure over time. The plant family (Solanaceae) rotation helps prevent buildup of soil-borne diseases. [source]
Harvest Tips
Pee Wee is ready to harvest 60-80 days after planting, when foliage yellows or dies back. For early harvest (55-65 days), dig carefully when plants are still flowering. For full-sized tubers, wait until foliage is mostly dead and skin is thick. Use a garden fork to gently loosen soil 12 inches from the plant stem and carefully extract tubers. Handle gently to avoid bruising. Allow tubers to cure in a cool (50-60°F), humid, dark location for 1-2 weeks before storage to toughen the skin.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Pee Wee potatoes are classified as 'waxy' potatoes due to their high moisture and low starch content, making them excellent for boiling and salad preparation without falling apart.
- 🌱 Potatoes are the world's fourth-largest food crop by production volume, after rice, wheat, and corn, and Pee Wee's compact size and early maturity have made it a favorite for home gardeners since its development.
- 🌱 A single Pee Wee seed potato can produce 10-15 small tubers in a single season, making them highly productive and economical for small-space gardeners.
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