How to Grow Potato Russet Burbank
Potato Russet Burbank
Solanum tuberosum
vegetableRusset Burbank is a classic American potato variety with brown, netted skin and white flesh, prized for baking, frying, and mashing. This mid-to-late season cultivar produces high yields of large, oblong tubers and is the most commonly grown potato in North America. It's known for excellent storage capacity and versatile culinary applications.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 2-7; prefers cooler climates with moderate summers
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Growth Stages
Seed Piece & Sprouting
2-3 weeksSeed potatoes are cut into 1.5-2 oz pieces with 2-3 eyes and planted in cool, moist soil. Sprouts emerge within 2-3 weeks.
Use certified seed potato pieces; cure cuts for 1-2 days before planting. Ensure soil temperature is 45°F or above. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Vegetative Growth & Hilling
6-8 weeksStolons develop underground; stems grow 12-18 inches tall with compound leaves. Small tubers begin forming at stolon tips.
Hill soil around stems twice during this stage (4-6 weeks after emergence, then again 2-3 weeks later) to prevent light exposure and greening. Water consistently; keep weeds controlled.
Tuber Bulking
4-6 weeksTubers rapidly expand underground; plants reach full height with dark green foliage. This is the most water-intensive period.
Maintain steady soil moisture (1-1.5 inches weekly). Avoid nitrogen excess which reduces tuber set. Monitor for late blight and other diseases. Keep mulch around plants.
Maturation & Senescence
3-4 weeksFoliage yellows and begins to die back naturally. Tuber skins thicken and cure. Russet Burbank is fully mature when vines are completely dead.
Reduce watering in final 2-3 weeks to firm tubers and improve skin set. Do not harvest until vines are completely brown; early harvest yields immature potatoes with poor storage.
Harvest & Storage
Ongoing storage 4-6 months or longerTubers are dug carefully from soil; large oblong russets with brown netted skin are ready for harvest and storage.
Harvest on dry days; cure potatoes in cool (55-65°F), humid (85-90% RH), dark location for 1-2 weeks to heal skin wounds. Store in cool (45-50°F), dark, humid place.
Common Pests
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Hand-pick beetles and egg masses; use spinosad or neem oil sprays; encourage natural predators; rotate crops annually; plant resistant trap crops.
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Use row covers early season; insecticidal soaps or pyrethrin sprays; eliminate weeds which harbor leafhoppers; reflective mulches.
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Strong water spray to dislodge; insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings.
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Crop rotation (3-4 year); plow in crop residues deeply; allow fallow period; parasitic nematodes; trap crops of wheat or barley.
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Use resistant varieties when possible; fungicide sprays (copper, sulfur, mancozeb) on 7-10 day schedule; improve air circulation; remove infected foliage; avoid overhead watering; destroy volunteer potatoes and culls.
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Remove lower leaves once plants are established; fungicide sprays (copper or chlorothalonil); improve air circulation; mulch to prevent soil splash; destroy infected material.
Uses
Baking & French Fries
CulinaryRusset Burbank's high starch content and low moisture make it ideal for baking, french fries, and hash browns. The mealy texture and earthy flavor are superior for these applications. [source]
Mashing & Purees
CulinaryThe fluffy texture when cooked makes this variety excellent for mashed potatoes, gnocchi, and creamy soups. Its neutral flavor pairs well with seasonings. [source]
Shelf Storage & Food Security
HouseholdRusset Burbanks are famous for exceptional storage longevity when properly cured and stored cool, dark, and dry. They remain fresh for months, making them valuable for food security. [source]
Commercial Production
CulinaryThis is the most widely grown potato variety in North America, the standard for commercial processing and restaurant use. [source]
Resistant Starch & Digestive Health
MedicinalCooled cooked potatoes develop resistant starch, which acts similarly to dietary fiber and may support gut health and blood sugar regulation. [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 vines are completely dead and brown (typically 110-130 days after planting, late summer to early fall). Use a garden fork to dig carefully, working from the sides toward the plant to avoid bruising tubers. For storage, cure potatoes 1-2 weeks in cool (55-65°F), dark, humid conditions, then store at 45-50°F in darkness. Russet Burbanks store exceptionally well for 4-6 months or longer when properly cured and stored. For fresh eating, harvest small tubers 2-3 weeks before vine death (at 'new potato' stage).
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Russet Burbank was developed by Luther Burbank in the 1870s in Santa Rosa, California, and became the foundation of America's potato industry and is used in McDonald's French fries.
- 🌱 A single Russet Burbank plant can produce 10-15 medium-to-large tubers underground while appearing as a modest green plant above ground.
- 🌱 Potatoes are the world's fourth-largest food crop after rice, wheat, and corn, and Russet Burbank is responsible for the majority of American potato production.
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