Indeterminate vs. Determinate Potatoes: Which One Should You Plant?

Plants can either be determinate or indeterminate. There is a lot of difference between Determinate and indeterminate when it comes to potatoes, in foliage, flowers, and berries (yes, potatoes have berries). The tubers are very little connected to it. Seeing how potatoes grow may make little difference in the garden, but it is fascinating to observe how they develop.

You might cultivate both types of potatoes differently because of their different growth habits. In general, determinate potatoes should be planted around 10cm deep because their tubers grow above the seed potatoes. Planting seed potatoes a little deeper, at around 12 cm, will help indeterminate potatoes grow in multiple layers. Tubers form above and adjacent to the seed potatoes at higher levels around the roots.

Indeterminate vs. Determinate Potatoes

Indeterminate Potatoes

Generally, indeterminate potatoes are harvested between 120 and 135 days after planting. Plants can grow to over 7 feet (2.1 meters), which may explain why many gardeners refer to potatoes as vines. With such impressive foliage, indeterminate varieties can absorb lots of energy from the sun to produce large spuds. Indeterminate potatoes have a longer growing season, enabling them to produce a higher yield than determinate potatoes.

It is common for people to harvest their potatoes when frost kills the plants or in the fall, but indeterminate potatoes can remain in the ground and grow for a long time. It is similar to a vining tomato in that indeterminate potatoes grow lateral stems from the main stalk. Flowers will bloom on the laterals while the main stem continues to grow.

In the upward movement of the stem, there are more and more laterals, which result in more and more flowers. An indeterminate potato can produce many berries because these flowers produce brown berries that look like green tomatoes. As a result, many claim that indeterminate plants produce a lot of potatoes. Despite this, the plant’s roots grow indeterminately, rather than defining the tubers’ growth.

How to Grow Indeterminate Potatoes

As with any other potato, you can grow indeterminate potatoes. A sprouted potato (called a seed potato) should be dropped into the bottom of a shallow trench and covered with soil 4 inches deep. Cover the potato with 3 to 4 inches of soil, straw, or dead leaves once it starts growing out of the trench. There are some growers who find that hilling potato a second time is more successful. Plants that have started to die back are suitable for harvesting indeterminate potatoes. Depending on how temperate your climate is, indeterminate potatoes can continue to grow for many years.

Determinate Potatoes

In the world of potatoes, determine potatoes are the bush. Their maximum height is between 2 and 3 feet (60 cm and 1 meter), and each stem ends with a cluster of flowers. Unlike lateral potatoes, determinate potatoes have fewer flowers, which results in fewer berries. Despite this, they often contain just as many potatoes as an indeterminate type.

Since determinate plants produce one harvest of berries at the same time, they are said only to produce one layer of potatoes. You don’t have to worry; determinate types produce potatoes just like their indeterminate cousins. A distinctive characteristic of the determinate potato is its rapid maturation, usually within 75 to 120 days. It is for this reason that most early-season and mid-season potatoes are determined.

How To Grow Determinate Potatoes

As described above, determinate potatoes are grown just like indeterminate ones. Several varieties claim you don’t have to hill-determinate them because they produce only one layer of potatoes, but this is not true. Whether your potato plants are determinate or indeterminate, hilling potatoes at least once can positively affect their growth and yield.

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Potato Varieties

Whether a potato variety is determinate or indeterminate can be quite difficult to determine. Typically, varieties are intermediate, which means they have characteristics of both and are neither one nor the other. Most seed companies do not distinguish between Determinate and indeterminate varieties because the differences are difficult to define. Despite lacking a definitive list, we have included the most common varieties, usually classified as determinate or indeterminate.

Determinate Potato Varieties

Indeterminate varieties are more complex than determinates, but determinates have fewer types than indeterminates. Especially in modern times, where big corporate companies do much of the production, humans are naturally inclined to produce a higher harvest yield. Because indeterminate potatoes produce such a high yield, they are popular for making potato chips. Here are the most popular types of determinate potatoes to grow:

Adirondack Blue, Adirondack Red, Caribe, Chieftain, Cranberry Red, Fingerling, Gold Rush, Norland, Onaway, Ratte Potatoes, Red Norland, Red Pontiac, Reddale, Russet Norkotah, Sierra Gold, Sierra Rose, Superior, Viking, Yukon Gold

Indeterminate Potato Varieties

Because of their ability to grow upwards, indeterminate potatoes are loved by farmers, companies, and serious gardeners. Individuals can choose from numerous varieties because of their popularity. Different varieties have different tastes and textures; some grow best in certain climates, so it’s important to research a variety before deciding. Here are the most popular and delicious varieties:

Alturas, Bintje, Butte, Canela Russet, Carola, Century Russet, Desiree, Elba, German, Butterball, Green Mountain, Katahdin, Kennebec, Lehigh, Maris Piper, Nicola, Ranger Russet, Red Cloud, Red Maria, Red Pontiac, Russet Burbank, Russet Nugget, Russian Blue, Strawberry Paw

Should You Plant Determinate or Indeterminate Potatoes?

Potatoes are both determinate and indeterminate, but you do not need to worry unless you intend to grow and harvest potato berries. You won’t see any difference in your harvest if you choose one or the other since most of the difference occurs above ground. You should consider the ‘days to maturity’ when deciding which potato variety to grow to determine whether you have enough time to harvest before frost kills your frost-sensitive plants.

You will indirectly produce determinate potatoes when you choose early maturing varieties and have a short growing season. Some potatoes may be indeterminate in countries with long growing seasons because you grow long-maturing varieties.

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Conclusion

Indeterminate and Determinate potatoes aren’t typically listed by seed potatoes suppliers, so you never really know what you’re getting. It’s easy to assume that all early potatoes are Determinate and all maincrop potatoes are Indeterminate, but this is not always the case. Various early, second-early, and maincrop potato varieties exhibit both types. You should research or ask the seed merchant for advice to buy the right type.

Indeterminate vs. Determinate Potatoes: Which One Should You Plant?