Yukon Gem

Family: Solanaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Yukon Gem to a garden.

Buttery-gold Yukon Gem tubers emerge with a luminous, sunlit glow—smooth-skinned and wonderfully even in shape.

Their flesh is tender and creamy-textured, delivering a rich, mellow flavor that shines when roasted to a caramelized edge, mashed into silky comfort, or simmered into hearty sauces and soups. A dependable 90-day choice for gardeners who want dependable harvest quality with a classic Yukon Gold market character.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Spreading

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Yukon Gem 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	None
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

Yukon Gem is built for comfort: it cooks to a creamy, evenly tender bite without the graininess you sometimes get from starchier spuds. Roast or mash it and it delivers that classic buttery, mellow flavor—especially when you let the surface actually brown.

Best Uses

roast to crisp, caramelized edges and a creamy center
mash into a silk-smooth, low-grit puree
simmer into velvety soups and chowders without turning gluey
grate and pan-sear for golden rösti that stays tender inside

Flavor Profile

buttery, mellow taste tender, creamy flesh gentle sweetness that caramelizes at the edges

Kitchen Pairings

butter parmesan chicken stock fresh thyme sour cream

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most common on Solanum tuberosum (potato) in home gardens, and how can I control it?

Late blight (water-soaked leaf spots that quickly spread with a grayish growth underside) is one of the most damaging diseases for Solanum tuberosum, especially in cool, humid weather. Remove and discard infected leaves and stems, then protect remaining growth by spraying a labeled fungicide suitable for potatoes per the label schedule. Improve airflow by spacing plants properly and avoid wetting foliage when irrigating.

How often should I water Yukon Gem potatoes during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I keep?

During bulking (once plants are established and flowering begins), keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) of water per week total, adjusted for rainfall. Water deeply so moisture reaches the root zone, and stop short of soaking beds because soggy soil can reduce tuber quality and increase disease pressure. Mulch lightly to steady moisture, especially after hill-soil is added.

How can I tell when Yukon Gem (Solanum tuberosum) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the plants reach maturity—about 90 days—with foliage turning yellow/brown and dying back naturally. You can gently dig around the edges of the plant to check tuber size; Yukon Gem is typically ready when tubers hold firm skin that doesn’t rub off easily. For the best storage skins, wait about 7–10 days after the plants fully die back before lifting the crop.