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Yukon Gold Potato

Solanum tuberosum 'Yukon Gold'

Developed in Canada, Yukon Gold has become the gold standard for home gardeners seeking a versatile, all-purpose potato with exceptional flavor. The smooth, golden skin and creamy yellow flesh make these potatoes as beautiful as they are delicious, while their waxy-starchy texture works perfectly for everything from mashing to roasting. This reliable variety produces good yields and stores well, making it a cornerstone of the home garden.

Harvest

70-90d

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 Yukon Gold Potato in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 root-vegetable →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Yukon Gold Potato · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing12-15 inches apart, rows 30-36 inches apart

SoilWell-drained, loose, fertile soil rich in organic matter

pH5.8-6.2

Water1-2 inches per week, consistent but not waterlogged

SeasonCool season

FlavorRich, buttery, and slightly sweet with creamy texture

ColorGolden yellow skin with creamy yellow flesh

Size2-4 inches diameter, 4-6 oz average weight

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	July – November
Zone 6	—	—	April – May	June – November
Zone 7	—	—	March – May	June – November
Zone 8	—	—	March – April	May – December
Zone 9	—	—	February – March	April – December
Zone 10	—	—	January – March	April – 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 Yukon Golds in a dark, well-ventilated area at 60-65°F with high humidity (85-90%) for 10-14 days. This process thickens skins and heals minor cuts, extending storage life.

After curing, store in a cool (38-40°F), dark location with good air circulation. Avoid refrigeration, which converts starches to sugars and creates an overly sweet flavor. Properly stored Yukon Golds maintain quality for 4-6 months.

For preservation, blanch and freeze small whole potatoes or cut pieces for 8-10 months of storage. Yukon Golds excel in pressure canning as whole small potatoes or chunks in soups and stews. Their waxy-starchy texture holds up well to dehydrating when sliced thin for potato chips or medallions. The variety's natural butter-like flavor makes it ideal for making and freezing mashed potato portions for quick future meals.

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 soil pests

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for Colorado potato beetles and aphids

Bush Beans

Fix nitrogen in soil, improve potato yield without competing for space

Cabbage

Benefits from loose soil created by potato growth, different root depths

Corn

Provides natural windbreak and shade, different nutrient requirements

Garlic

Repels Colorado potato beetles and wireworms with natural sulfur compounds

Horseradish

Planted at corners of potato patch, repels Colorado potato beetles

Chives

Repels aphids and may improve potato flavor and disease resistance

Keep Apart

Tomato

Both are nightshades, attract same pests like Colorado potato beetle and blight

Sunflower

Allelopathic effects inhibit potato growth and development

Cucumber

Increases susceptibility to blight and competes for similar 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

Moderate resistance to scab and good resistance to golden nematode

Common Pests

Colorado potato beetle, aphids, wireworms, flea beetles

Diseases

Late blight, early blight, scab, blackleg

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take Yukon Gold potatoes to grow?▼

Yukon Gold potatoes take 70-90 days from planting to harvest for full-sized tubers. You can harvest small 'new' potatoes as early as 60 days after planting while plants are still flowering. The exact timing depends on your growing conditions and desired potato size.

Can you grow Yukon Gold potatoes in containers?▼

Yes, Yukon Gold potatoes grow excellently in containers. Use a container at least 20 gallons with drainage holes. Plant 2-3 seed potatoes per container and hill with additional soil as plants grow. Container growing makes harvesting easier and reduces pest issues.

What do Yukon Gold potatoes taste like?▼

Yukon Gold potatoes have a rich, buttery flavor with subtle sweetness and creamy texture. Their naturally smooth, almost velvety mouthfeel comes from their waxy-starchy composition. The golden flesh has a more complex flavor than white potatoes, often described as naturally seasoned.

When should I plant Yukon Gold potatoes?▼

Plant Yukon Gold seed potatoes 2-3 weeks before your last expected frost date when soil temperature reaches 45-50°F. In most areas, this means planting in early to mid-spring. Cold soil delays emergence, while planting too late reduces growing season length.

Are Yukon Gold potatoes good for beginners?▼

Yukon Gold potatoes are moderately challenging for beginners due to their susceptibility to certain pests and diseases. However, their reliable yields and clear harvest indicators make them manageable for gardeners willing to learn proper hilling and pest management techniques.

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

Yukon Gold has golden skin, yellow flesh, and a waxy-starchy texture ideal for all-purpose cooking. Russets have brown skin, white flesh, and a fluffy, starchy texture best for baking and frying. Yukon Golds offer more versatility while Russets excel in specific applications.