Umatilla Russet

Family: Solanaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Umatilla Russet to a garden.

Earthy and richly aromatic, Umatilla Russet delivers a classic russet depth with a warm, nutty flavor and a satisfyingly dry, fluffy bite.

Its thick, russeted skin sets the stage for dependable roasting—while the interior stays creamy and smooth for mashing, and holds beautifully for hearty fries and wedges. For gardeners who love the moment of harvest, this 90-day variety rewards with uniform, well-filled tubers and a distinctly rugged, old-world character.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Spreading

Botanical illustration of Umatilla Russet

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Umatilla Russet 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	Spreading
Support Needed	Hill
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	50
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Umatilla Russet leans dry and floury, so it mashes into that spoon-stands-up texture and fries up with a starchy, crisp edge instead of going limp. Use it when you want the nutty, old-world potato flavor to carry—especially in hot roasting, where the skin browns and the inside stays creamy and smooth.

Best Uses

hot, dry roasting—skin gets crisp while the center stays creamy
buttery mashed potatoes with a visibly light, fluffy texture
hearty fries or wedges that stay thick and starchy (less soggy)

Flavor Profile

warm, nutty earthiness dry, floury interior that turns fluffy classic russet aromatics creamy-smooth mouthfeel when cooked through

Kitchen Pairings

butter garlic sour cream aged cheddar black pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Solanum tuberosum (potatoes), and what should I do?

Watch for late blight (often starts as brown, water-soaked spots on leaves and spreads fast in cool, wet weather). Remove and destroy infected foliage immediately, improve airflow by keeping plants properly hilled, and avoid overhead watering; if the problem is spreading in your area, use a labeled late-blight fungicide early and follow the label schedule.

How often should I water Solanum tuberosum during the main growing phase?

During active tuber bulking (roughly mid-season through about 2–3 weeks before harvest), keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, split if needed for hot spells. Check by digging 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) down; if it’s dry at that depth, water, and if it’s staying wet or heavy, reduce watering to prevent rot.

How do I tell when Umatilla Russet (Solanum tuberosum) is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 90 days when the plants’ foliage has mostly yellowed and begun to die back, and the tuber skins are set (they don’t rub off easily when gently scratched). For best storage quality, cure the harvested tubers in a cool, dark, humid place for about 1–2 weeks before storing.