How to Grow Prince Edward Potato
Wikimedia Commons
Prince Edward Potato
Solanum tuberosum 'Prince Edward'
vegetablePrince Edward is a mid-season red potato variety known for its smooth, thin skin and creamy yellow flesh. It produces uniform, round tubers with excellent flavor and is particularly valued for boiling, mashing, and salads. This Canadian-bred variety is reliable and productive in cool climates.
When should you plant Prince Edward Potato in your zone?
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Example Prince Edward Potato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Prince Edward 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 Prince Edward Potato
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Prince Edward Potato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-7; well-suited to cool and moderate climates
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Seed Potato Sprouting
1-2 weeksCut seed pieces develop sprouts (eyes) in cool, dark storage before planting
Store seed potatoes at 45-50°F for 1-2 weeks before planting to encourage sprouting. Ensure each piece has at least 2 eyes.
Emergence & Early Growth
2-3 weeksSprouts emerge from soil; first leaves develop. Plant grows 4-8 inches tall with compound leaves
Begins 2-3 weeks after planting. Hill soil around emerging plants to prevent greening of tubers. Keep consistently moist.
Vegetative Growth & Flowering
3-4 weeksBushy foliage develops (12-18 inches tall), small white or pink flowers appear at tips
Maintain consistent watering. Hill again when plants are 6-8 inches tall. Begin light fertilization if soil is poor. Flowers indicate tuber formation is starting.
Tuber Development & Bulking
3-4 weeksFlowers fade; underground tubers enlarge rapidly. Plant may yellow slightly at base
Critical growth phase; maintain consistent, deep watering. Apply mulch to retain moisture and keep tubers covered. Avoid excessive nitrogen.
Maturity & Harvest Readiness
2-3 weeksFoliage begins yellowing and dying back. Skin thickens and sets on tubers
Reduce watering 2-3 weeks before harvest. Skin should not rub off when gently rubbed. Harvest when vines are mostly dead.
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 on young plants; apply spinosad or neem oil; encourage beneficial predators
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce ladybugs; reflective mulches deter
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Row covers on seedlings; neem oil or spinosad spray; diatomaceous earth
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Remove infected foliage promptly; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; copper fungicide; resistant varieties help
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Remove lower infected leaves; avoid wetting foliage; fungicide spray; crop rotation
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Crop rotation; remove plant debris; beneficial nematodes; trap crops
Uses
Boiling & Mashing
CulinaryPrince Edward's creamy texture and buttery flavor make it ideal for boiling whole, mashing, and potato salads. The thin skin makes peeling optional after cooking. [source]
Soups & Stews
CulinaryThe firm yet creamy flesh holds its shape well during cooking, making it excellent for chunky soups, stews, and chowders. [source]
Home Food Storage
HouseholdPrince Edward potatoes have good storage potential when properly cured and kept cool and dark, providing fresh potatoes through winter months. [source]
Nutritional Content
MedicinalPotatoes are good sources of vitamin C, potassium, and B vitamins. The edible skin contains fiber and additional nutrients when left intact. [source]
Garden Insect Habitat
WildlifePotato flowers attract bees and other pollinators, and the plant provides habitat for beneficial insects when grown alongside companion plants. [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 70-90 days when vines have mostly died back and skin sets (doesn't rub off easily). Dig carefully from the side with a spade or fork to avoid bruising tubers. Cure in a cool (50-60°F), dark, humid place for 1-2 weeks before storage. Store at 40-45°F in darkness; can last 3-4 months.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Prince Edward potatoes were developed at Agriculture Canada in Prince Edward Island, and are particularly well-suited to Canadian growing conditions.
- 🌱 Potatoes are the fourth-largest food crop worldwide, after rice, wheat, and corn, and contain complete amino acid profiles making them nutritionally complete when combined with legumes.
- 🌱 The thin red skin of Prince Edward potatoes contains beneficial antioxidants and flavonoids that are lost when peeled, so leaving skins on adds nutritional value.
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