King Edward

Family: Solanaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Silky-skinned and richly flavored, King Edward potatoes bring a luminous, creamy-white tuber with a fine, even texture that feels almost velvety in the hand.

Expect a dependable, all-season harvest in about 90 days, with tubers that roast to a golden crust and turn tender and fluffy for mashing, as well as beautifully suited to hearty stews and gratins. A classic white potato for gardeners who want dependable performance and a refined, comforting bite.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Upright

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King Edward 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 23rd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 13th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 13th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Aug 17th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 13th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Aug 11th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Aug 6th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Aug 2nd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jul 30th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jul 24th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jul 19th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jul 9th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	Jun 30th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	Jun 21st – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	Jun 4th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	May 10th – 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	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	50
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

King Edward’s evenly fine texture gives you mashes that don’t turn gluey, and roast results that go crisp at the edges while staying fluffy in the middle. It’s a white potato built for butter-and-garlic comfort—especially gratin and mash—where its silky mouthfeel really shows.

Best Uses

hot-pressed mashes and smashed potatoes that stay velvety
roasting with high-heat care for crisp edges and tender centers
buttery gratins where the slices soften into a unified custard
hearty stews and braises to thicken the broth gently

Flavor Profile

silky, floury-mealy interior that turns creamy when hot subtle sweetness with a clean, starchy backbone roasts to a fine, golden crust without going gritty smooth, even texture for cohesive mashes

Kitchen Pairings

butter garlic rosemary black pepper gruyère olive oil

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease to watch for on Solanum tuberosum (potatoes) and how do I manage it?

Watch for late blight (often starts as dark, greasy-looking leaf spots that spread quickly in cool, humid weather). Remove and bag infected foliage immediately, avoid overhead watering, and water at the soil line; if it’s spreading, use a labeled late-blight fungicide early and repeat as directed. Also plant in well-drained soil and don’t work the plants when leaves are wet to reduce spread.

How often should I water King Edward potatoes during their main growth?

During active foliage growth, keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) per week total, adjusted for rainfall and your soil’s drainage. Water deeply after checking the row: the top 2–3 inches should feel slightly dry before the next watering, but the ridge should still hold moisture. Once tubers begin swelling, irregular dry spells followed by heavy watering can lead to misshapen tubers, so aim for steady moisture.

How can I tell when to harvest Solanum tuberosum ‘King Edward’?

Harvest when the plants’ tops have died back and the tuber skins have set—typically around 90 days, but use the foliage as your main cue. In the final week, stop watering and gently dig one plant to test: the skin should resist rubbing off. Cure freshly harvested tubers in a cool, dark, airy place for about 1–2 weeks before storage.