Norland Red

Family: Solanaceae Root Vegetable

Velvety-skinned Norland Red potatoes arrive with a deep rose-red blush over smooth, evenly shaped tubers, and a creamy, fine-grained interior that feels almost satin-smooth in the bowl.

Their balanced flavor turns especially appealing when you want dependable results—tender, not watery, with a gentle sweetness that shines in classic home favorites. Grow Norland Red for a reliable 70-day harvest and a harvest that looks as beautiful as it tastes, from first dig to the last bagged tuber.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 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 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
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

Norland Red’s creamy, fine-grain flesh stays tender without going watery, which is why it behaves beautifully under boiling or a quick roast. Use it when you want satin-smooth mashed/smashed textures and crisp edges that don’t collapse into starch paste.

Best Uses

boiled or steamed potatoes served with butter and herbs (they hold together without turning grainy)
pan-searing into crisp-edged rounds—silky centers, shattery edges
smash potatoes that stay plush instead of gluey
roasted wedges when you want even browning and a creamy core

Flavor Profile

creamy, fine-grained interior velvety, clean potato flavor gentle natural sweetness tender bite with low wateriness

Kitchen Pairings

butter garlic fresh chives sour cream black pepper rosemary

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common potato (Solanum tuberosum) disease or pest issue, and how should I respond?

Watch for late blight, which often shows up as dark, water-soaked leaf spots that rapidly expand on potato foliage. Remove and discard affected leaves immediately, improve airflow by keeping plants hilled and not overcrowded, and avoid wetting the leaves when watering. If blight pressure is high in your area, use a labeled fungicide for potatoes early in the onset and repeat according to the label.

How often should I water Norland Red potatoes during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level do they need?

During active tuber bulking (mid-season), keep soil consistently evenly moist—aim for about 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) of water per week, adjusting for rainfall and heat. Water deeply to reach the root zone, then let the surface dry slightly before watering again so the tubers don’t sit in soggy soil. Stop heavy watering as foliage starts to yellow near maturity to help skins set for harvest.

How can I tell when Norland Red (Solanum tuberosum) is ready to harvest?

Plan on harvest around 70 days after planting, but confirm by checking when the plants’ tops begin to yellow and die back. For “new” potatoes, harvest earlier when the tubers are firm and skins rub off easily; for storage, wait until the plants have largely died back and the skins are tougher. Gently dig one test hill with a garden fork—if tubers are sized well and skins hold to rubbing, you’re ready.