Yukon Gold

Family: Solanaceae Root Vegetable

Buttery, golden flesh with a softly sweet, garden-fresh flavor—Yukon Gold potatoes are the kind that make the whole harvest feel like a celebration.

Their smooth, thin skins and dense, velvety texture hold their shape beautifully, turning tender and creamy when roasted, pan-browned, or mashed into silky sauces. Grow Yukon Gold for reliable, home-garden performance and a warm, golden color that shows up in every bowl.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 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 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
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

Yukon Gold is built for eat-it-hot comfort: its golden, low-grit flesh creams down quickly while still giving you a tender bite when roasted or browned. Use it when you want that buttery, lightly sweet profile to stay front-and-center, especially with dairy and peppery heat.

Best Uses

roasted wedges that hold their shape while going creamy at the edges
pan-browned potatoes with a crisp exterior and tender center
silky mash without turning gluey
potato gratin or skillet potatoes where you want a smooth, spoonable mouthfeel

Flavor Profile

buttery, golden flesh softly sweet, garden-fresh flavor dense and velvety texture thin skin that tenderizes fast

Kitchen Pairings

black pepper garlic butter sour cream fresh chives gruyère cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

What disease problem is most likely on Solanum tuberosum (Yukon Gold) and how do I control it?

Early blight (Alternaria) is common on potato leaves and shows as brown, target-like spots that spread from older foliage. Remove and discard infected leaves early, avoid overhead watering so foliage stays dry, and apply a labeled fungicide if conditions are humid and worsening—start as soon as you see the first spots. Space plants for airflow and don’t reuse cull piles where diseased potato tops were kept.

How often should I water Yukon Gold potatoes during the main growing phase?

During active tuber bulking (roughly weeks 4–8 after emergence), keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) of water per week depending on rainfall. Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil (2–3 cm) feels dry, and maintain a steady moisture level so tubers size up rather than cracking or staying small. Stop regular watering once the vines begin to yellow and die back near maturity.

How can I tell when Yukon Gold potatoes are ready to harvest?

Start checking for “new potatoes” about 70–80 days after planting, but harvest mature Yukon Gold around 90 days when plants yellow and the foliage naturally dies back. For maturity, dig carefully and confirm tuber skins are set (they won’t rub off easily) and tubers reach typical size for your planting depth. Harvest on a dry day, then cure tubers in a cool, dark, airy spot for about 1–2 weeks before storage.