Red Norland

Family: Solanaceae Root Vegetable

Velvety-skinned and richly colored, Red Norland delivers a classic red jacket over creamy, pale flesh—an inviting contrast that feels as good as it looks.

Expect a tender, fine-grained texture with a naturally balanced, earthy sweetness that shines whether you’re roasting for caramelized edges or boiling for a smooth, spoonable bite. A dependable 75-day performer, it’s a favorite for home gardeners who want reliable harvests of uniform, market-ready tubers.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Spreading

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 9th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Spreading
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

Red Norland’s fine-grained, tender interior makes it ideal for boiling and mashing without turning pasty—more spoonable than fluffy. Roast or pan-sear it hot and let the pale flesh go creamy while the red jacket grabs color for that crisp-meets-butter contrast.

Best Uses

boil for smooth, spoonable potato salads and dressed sides
roast hot for caramelized edges while keeping the center creamy
pan-sear into crisp-edged slices for buttery, starchy browning

Flavor Profile

fine-grained, tender bite gentle earthy sweetness creamy interior with velvety skin bite

Kitchen Pairings

butter sour cream black pepper smoked bacon Dijon mustard

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Solanum tuberosum (potatoes) like Red Norland, and how do I control it?

Watch for late blight (water-soaked spots that quickly expand) and striped/tuber-damaging pests like Colorado potato beetle. Remove and bag any infected leaves immediately, avoid overhead watering, and improve airflow by keeping tops unthickened. For beetles, hand-pick adults/larvae early or use an appropriate labeled potato insecticide if infestations are spreading.

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

During active tuber bulking (roughly weeks 4–8 after emergence), keep soil consistently moist but never soggy. Water when the top 1–2 inches of soil dry out—typically every 4–7 days depending on heat and mulch—then water deeply enough to wet the root zone. Stop increasing irrigation once foliage starts to yellow near maturity, but don’t let soil dry out completely while plants are still actively growing.

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

Harvest about 75 days after planting (or when plants begin to die back and skins feel firm). Check by gently digging near the plant and looking for tubers with skins that won’t rub off easily with light finger pressure. If the weather is wet, wait until foliage has naturally withered and skin is set to reduce risk of storage rot.