HybridContainer OK

Red Norland Potato

Solanum tuberosum 'Red Norland'

The gold standard for early-season red potatoes, beloved by home gardeners for its reliability and excellent flavor. These smooth-skinned beauties are ready to harvest as delicious new potatoes in just 60 days, or left to mature for storage. Their waxy texture and thin, edible skins make them perfect for boiling, steaming, and potato salads.

Harvest

60-80d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

so-LAN-num too-ber-OH-sum

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

12-24 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Red Norland Potato in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 root-vegetable →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Red Norland Potato · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing12-15 inches

SoilLoose, well-drained, slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter

pH5.0-6.0

Water1-2 inches per week, reduce watering as harvest approaches

SeasonCool season

FlavorMild, buttery, slightly sweet with waxy texture

ColorRed skin with white flesh

Size2-4 inches diameter

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	—	May – June	July – October
Zone 4	—	—	April – June	July – October
Zone 5	—	—	April – May	June – November
Zone 6	—	—	April – May	June – November
Zone 7	—	—	March – May	May – November
Zone 8	—	—	March – April	May – December
Zone 9	—	—	February – March	April – December
Zone 10	—	—	January – March	March – December

Complete Growing Guide

Light: so-LAN-num too-ber-OH-sum. Soil: High Organic Matter, Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Root Cutting, Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Potato plants will sometimes produce a round, smooth, yellowish-green to a green berry that is 0.5 inches in diameter and is filled with many seeds. EXTREMELY TOXIC, DO NOT EAT.

Color: Gold/Yellow, Green. Type: Berry. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Harvest time: Fall, Summer

Bloom time: Fall, Summer

Edibility: The tubers are edible but discard sprouts and never eat tubers if they look spoiled or green below the skin. All the green parts of the plant contain a toxin known as solanine and should not be ingested. Potatoes can be stored in a cool, dry, dark place for three to four months. Potato tubers can be boiled, baked, fried, or roasted as a vegetable. They may also be processed to produce potato flour. potato chips, vodka, and schnapps.

Storage & Preservation

Cure freshly harvested Red Norland potatoes in a dark, well-ventilated area at 60-65°F for 7-10 days to toughen skins for storage. After curing, store in a cool (35-40°F), dark location with 85-90% humidity. A basement root cellar or unheated garage works well.

Red Norland potatoes store for 2-4 months under ideal conditions, shorter than russet varieties due to their thin skins and high moisture content. Check stored potatoes monthly, removing any that show signs of sprouting or soft spots.

For preservation, Red Norland's waxy texture makes them excellent for freezing when pre-cooked. Boil whole small potatoes for 15 minutes, cool completely, then freeze in portions. They also can beautifully—try pressure canning as whole small potatoes in salted water. Dehydrating works well too; slice thinly and dehydrate for chips or reconstitute for soups.

History & Origin

Origin: South America

Advantages

+Disease resistance: Rabbits
+Attracts: Bees
+Wildlife value: The flowers are pollinated by insects and bumblebees.

Considerations

-Toxic (Fruits, Leaves, Roots, Stems): High severity

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Marigold

Repels Colorado potato beetles and nematodes, reduces pest damage

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for Colorado potato beetles and aphids

Horseradish

Repels Colorado potato beetles and improves disease resistance

Beans

Fix nitrogen in soil and improve potato growth without competing for space

Cabbage

Compatible growth habits and may help deter potato pests

Corn

Provides natural windbreak and doesn't compete for underground space

Chives

Repels aphids and may improve potato flavor and growth

Peas

Fix nitrogen early in season before potatoes need heavy nutrients

Keep Apart

Tomatoes

Same family (Solanaceae), compete for nutrients and share similar diseases like blight

Sunflowers

Allelopathic effects inhibit potato growth and development

Cucumber

Increases susceptibility to bacterial wilt and competes for soil nutrients

Nutrition Facts

Calories

41kcal(2%)

Protein

0.93g(2%)

Fiber

2.8g(10%)

Carbs

9.58g(3%)

Fat

0.24g(0%)

Vitamin C

5.9mg(7%)

Vitamin A

835mcg(93%)

Vitamin K

13.2mcg(11%)

Iron

0.3mg(2%)

Calcium

33mg(3%)

Potassium

320mg(7%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #170393)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to scab and moderate resistance to late blight

Common Pests

Colorado potato beetle, wireworms, potato flea beetle

Diseases

Late blight, early blight, potato scab, bacterial soft rot

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Red Norland potato take to grow?▼

Red Norland potatoes can be harvested as new potatoes in 50-60 days or left to mature fully in 75-80 days. This makes them one of the earliest potato varieties, perfect for gardeners wanting fresh potatoes by midsummer. The quick maturity also allows for succession planting in longer growing seasons.

Can you grow Red Norland potatoes in containers?▼

Yes, Red Norland potatoes grow excellently in containers due to their compact size and early maturity. Use containers at least 20 gallons with drainage holes, plant 2-3 seed potatoes per container, and hill with additional soil or straw as plants grow. Container growing also makes harvesting easier and provides better pest control.

Is Red Norland good for beginners?▼

Red Norland is excellent for beginning gardeners because of its reliable growth, disease resistance, and forgiving nature. It tolerates cool spring weather better than many varieties, has good scab resistance, and provides clear visual cues for harvest timing. The early harvest also gives new gardeners quick success and confidence.

What does Red Norland potato taste like?▼

Red Norland potatoes have a mild, buttery flavor with subtle sweetness and a firm, waxy texture. The thin red skin adds a slight earthiness when eaten. They're less starchy than russets, making them hold their shape well when boiled or steamed, with a creamy, moist interior that's perfect for potato salad.

When should I plant Red Norland potatoes?▼

Plant Red Norland seed potatoes 2 weeks before your last expected frost date when soil temperature reaches 45-50°F. In zones 3-5, this typically means early to mid-April. Southern gardeners can plant in late February for spring harvest or late August for fall crops. Avoid planting in waterlogged spring soil.

Red Norland vs Yukon Gold potatoes - what's the difference?▼

Red Norland matures 2-3 weeks earlier than Yukon Gold and has red skin versus yellow. Both are waxy potatoes, but Red Norland has a milder flavor while Yukon Gold is more buttery and rich. Red Norland stores for 2-4 months while Yukon Gold can store 4-6 months. Choose Red Norland for early harvest, Yukon Gold for storage.