Chieftain

Family: Solanaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Velvety-skinned and richly colored, Chieftain red potatoes offer a deep, rosy exterior that hints at their smooth, creamy interior.

Their firm, fine-grained texture holds beautifully for hearty, satisfying results—ideal for roasting to a golden finish, mashing into silky comfort, or turning into robust salads and stews where color and substance matter. A dependable 95-day performer, Chieftain brings dependable harvest quality to the home garden with every season.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 95 DaysHabit: Clumping

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Chieftain Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Aug 28th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 18th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 18th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Aug 22nd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 18th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Aug 16th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Aug 11th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Aug 7th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Aug 4th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jul 29th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jul 24th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jul 14th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	Jul 5th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	Jun 26th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	Jun 9th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	May 15th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	95
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Clumping
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Chieftain red potatoes cook up with a smooth, velvety interior and a structure that keeps pieces from collapsing—great for roasting and chunky salads alike. Their creamy “mashability” shines best when you don’t overwork them: hot, salted, and dressed while still steamy for the silkiest texture.

Best Uses

golden-roast wedges with crisp edges
silky mash with warm dairy and a light lift of salt
pan-seared slices for a browned crust and tender interior
color-forward potato salad or stew where chunks must stay intact

Flavor Profile

creamy, fine-grained center gentle earthy sweetness buttery mouthfeel when hot holds shape without going chalky

Kitchen Pairings

butter sour cream fresh dill heavy cream black pepper chicken stock

Frequently Asked Questions

What pests or diseases commonly affect Solanum tuberosum (potato) and how can I control them in a home garden?

Watch for late blight and early blight, which show up as leaf spots that spread quickly—remove and destroy affected foliage immediately and avoid wetting leaves during watering. For insect pressure, check for Colorado potato beetles on the undersides of leaves; hand-pick adults and larvae early, and if needed use an insecticidal soap or a labeled spinosad/BT product that’s specifically allowed for potatoes. Improve airflow by spacing plants properly and keep the soil hilled so tubers stay covered, which reduces sun damage and some disease pressure.

How often should I water Solanum tuberosum during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I aim for?

During active growth and bulking (roughly weeks after emergence through mid-season), keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total, adjusted for rain and heat. Water deeply to moisten the ridges where tubers form, then let the top couple inches dry slightly before watering again to prevent rot and disease. A good test is that the soil feels like a wrung-out sponge at ridge depth, not soggy or dusty.

How do I tell when Solanum tuberosum (potatoes) like ‘Chieftain’ are ready to harvest?

Harvest when the plants are naturally dying back and the foliage has yellowed—‘Chieftain’ typically takes about 95 days from planting. Before lifting, gently dig one hill to check that tubers have set skins that won’t rub off easily; if you can scrape the skin off with light friction, leave them longer. For best storage quality, cure harvested tubers for 7–10 days in a cool, dry, shaded spot after harvest.