What happens if you harvest potatoes too early?
Written by
Julia Anderson
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Picking potatoes can bring a bunch of headaches for gardeners. Thin-skinned tubers are more easily damaged by the digging. Imature potatoes are low in starch, affecting their cooking quality. I experienced this years ago with a first harvest that was disappointing.
Physical Damage
- Thin skins bruise easily during digging
- Damaged areas invite rot organisms
- Tubers shrink significantly during storage
Storage Issues
- Premature potatoes spoil 3x faster
- Lack protective suberin layer formation
- Higher humidity requirements increase mold risk
Cooking Problems
- Low starch causes excessive shrinking
- Watery texture ruins mashed potatoes
- Poor browning during roasting or frying
Underdeveloped potatoes have a distinct cellular composition compared to mature potatoes. For instance, their cells are less packed with starch and are thicker with more water. This balance can lead to inconsistent cooking qualities and textural defects. To avoid this, it's best to wait until potatoes are fully mature for optimal cooking results.
To prevent premature harvesting, implement the following practices. Pay close attention to the variety-specific maturity days. Test for skin set using the thumb rub test. Ensure complete foliar dieback occurs before digging. I now always mark harvest dates on my calendar.
Read the full article: 7 Essential Signs When to Harvest Potatoes
