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How to Grow Potato Russet Burbank

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Potato Russet Burbank

Solanum tuberosum

vegetable

Russet 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.

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Example Potato Russet Burbank timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Potato Russet Burbank

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Potato Russet Burbank

    Around Jul 26

    ≈ 100 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; prefers cooler conditions with afternoon shade in hot climates
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Water: Consistent moisture throughout growing season; 1-1.5 inches per week via irrigation or rainfall. Reduce water in final 2-3 weeks before harvest to firm up tubers.
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Spacing: 12 inches
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Days to maturity: 100-130 days
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Planting depth: 4 inches; seed pieces should be spaced 12 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with good organic matter content
pH: 5.0-6.0
Amendments:
Compost or aged manure Sulfur to lower pH if needed Peat moss for drainage improvement

Growing Zones

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Zones 2-7; prefers cooler climates with moderate summers

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

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Growth Stages

1

Seed Piece & Sprouting

2-3 weeks

Seed 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.

2

Vegetative Growth & Hilling

6-8 weeks

Stolons 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.

3

Tuber Bulking

4-6 weeks

Tubers 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.

4

Maturation & Senescence

3-4 weeks

Foliage 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.

5

Harvest & Storage

Ongoing storage 4-6 months or longer

Tubers 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.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Beans Corn Marigolds Nasturtiums Peas Catmint

Avoid planting near:

Tomatoes Peppers Eggplant Fennel Brassicas (in excess proximity)

Common Pests

  • Hand-pick beetles and egg masses; use spinosad or neem oil sprays; encourage natural predators; rotate crops annually; plant resistant trap crops.

  • Use row covers early season; insecticidal soaps or pyrethrin sprays; eliminate weeds which harbor leafhoppers; reflective mulches.

  • Strong water spray to dislodge; insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings.

  • Crop rotation (3-4 year); plow in crop residues deeply; allow fallow period; parasitic nematodes; trap crops of wheat or barley.

  • 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.

  • Remove lower leaves once plants are established; fungicide sprays (copper or chlorothalonil); improve air circulation; mulch to prevent soil splash; destroy infected material.

Uses

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Baking & French Fries

Culinary

Russet 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

Culinary

The 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

Household

Russet 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

Culinary

This is the most widely grown potato variety in North America, the standard for commercial processing and restaurant use. [source]

💊

Resistant Starch & Digestive Health

Medicinal

Cooled 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.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Full Sun Mulch
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