Potato Varieties for Kratky Growing
The best potatoes for Kratky containers are early and mid-season varieties with compact plants. They finish before the nutrient solution runs low, and they don't need a huge container. Late, sprawling varieties such as russets can work, but they need more space and time.
Early, mid-season and late potatoes
Potato varieties are grouped by how long they take to mature:
- Early varieties are usually ready in about 70 to 90 days, and they're the easiest choice for containers.
- Mid-season varieties take roughly 90 to 110 days.
- Late varieties take 110 days or more and grow the largest plants.
Some growers also describe potatoes as determinate (setting one layer of tubers) or indeterminate (setting tubers along more of the stem). Determinate types need less hilling, which helps in a shallow basket.
Varieties worth trying
- Yukon Gold: an early to mid-season yellow potato with fairly compact plants. A dependable first choice.
- Red Norland: an early red-skinned potato that matures quickly. Good for new potatoes.
- Kennebec: a mid to late white potato with large plants. Better in a big container.
- Red Pontiac: a mid to late red potato, widely sold as seed.
- Fingerlings such as Russian Banana and French Fingerling: small, slender tubers that suit containers, though most need a mid to long season.
- Blue and purple potatoes such as Adirondack Blue and All Blue: colorful flesh, usually mid to late season.
Choosing a variety
- For a small container, or indoors under a grow light, choose an early variety.
- For a large tote outdoors with a long, cool season, mid-season or late varieties are an option.
- Buy certified seed potatoes. They're inspected for disease and aren't treated to stop sprouting.
Russet potatoes
Russets are the classic baking potato. Most are late varieties with big plants, which makes them the hardest common potatoes to grow in a Kratky container. Read our guide to growing russet potatoes before you try them.
