King Edward

Family: Solanaceae Root Vegetable

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

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

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.