SproutSmart
SproutSmart™ Intelligent Garden Sowing

Red Chieftain

Potato
Zone 11a Save Garden

Planting Schedule

Add Red Chieftain to your garden to build a schedule and get reminders.
Botanical illustration of Red Chieftain
90d to harvest

Velvety-smooth skins in rich, ruby-red cloak the Red Chieftain tubers, with a warm, golden interior that glows when you lift them from the soil. Expect a medium-starch bite that turns tender and creamy with roasting and pan-browning, while staying pleasantly cohesive for mashing and hearty sides. Red Chieftain’s dependable 90-day rhythm makes it a confident choice for home gardeners who want color-forward red potatoes with a satisfying, versatile texture.

Crop Dates

Growing note: Frost-free Zone 11a supports continuous outdoor production.
MilestoneDate
ClimateFrost-Free Climate
Growing ApproachContinuous Production

Crop Details

TraitValue
Days to Maturity90
Sun RequirementsFull SunFull sun
Growth HabitSpreading
Support NeededNone
Planting DepthNormal
Germination Temp (°F)55
Min Soil Temp (°F)45
Min Night Temp (°F)35
Harden Off (days)Not Required

Today's Conditions

Outdoor planting for Red Chieftain in Zone 11a typically begins around throughout the growing season. Wait until soil reaches at least 45°F before transplanting Red Chieftain.

Garden Alerts

Frost-free Zone 11a supports continuous outdoor production.

Recommended Companions

Hercules Carrot
View Details →
Common Chives Chives
View Details →
Minicor Carrot
View Details →
Kokusai Chives
View Details →

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Solanum tuberosum (potato), and how do I prevent and treat it?
Watch for late blight (water-soaked leaf spots that rapidly spread) and early blight (target-like brown spots). At the first signs, remove heavily infected leaves and improve airflow (space plants and avoid wetting foliage), then use a labeled potato fungicide and follow the interval on the label. Also remove volunteer potato plants and keep mulch off the soil surface to reduce spore splash onto lower leaves.
How can I tell when to harvest Solanum tuberosum (Red Chieftain potato)?
Harvest around 90 days from planting when the plants’ tops begin to yellow and die back, indicating tubers have thickened skins. For “new potatoes,” you can harvest earlier by gently digging one plant while leaving the rest to mature. After harvest, cure potatoes for about 10–14 days in a cool, dark, humid area to help skins toughen before storage.
Botanical illustration of Red Chieftain

Velvety-smooth skins in rich, ruby-red cloak the Red Chieftain tubers, with a warm, golden interior that glows when you lift them from the soil. Expect a medium-starch bite that turns tender and creamy with roasting and pan-browning, while staying pleasantly cohesive for mashing and hearty sides. Red Chieftain’s dependable 90-day rhythm makes it a confident choice for home gardeners who want color-forward red potatoes with a satisfying, versatile texture.

Today's Conditions

Outdoor planting for Red Chieftain in Zone 11a typically begins around throughout the growing season. Wait until soil reaches at least 45°F before transplanting Red Chieftain.

Garden Alerts

Frost-free Zone 11a supports continuous outdoor production.

Sowing Tips

Soil Temperature

Direct sow or transplant when soil at planting depth holds 45°F for reliable germination and early growth.

Expert Note

Plant certified seed potatoes 2–4 inches deep when soil is workable, and keep hills coming as the plants emerge to protect developing tubers from light.