Potatoes are a staple crop in any productive garden. However, not all potatoes store equally well. Some varieties sprout or shrivel quickly, while others keep their texture and flavor for months. If you want a harvest that lasts through winter, choosing the best storage potatoes is key. Here are the best storage potato varieties to grow for long-term storage.

Four Best Storage Potatoes to Grow

The best storage potatoes are late season potatoes. These potatoes have a long growing season between 100-120 days. Allowing the potatoes to grow to maturity produces a larger potato with a thicker skin, making them better for long-term storage. You can harvest the potatoes once the plant has completely died back.

Elba

A large, light skinned potato with white flesh, Elba was created by Cornell University because of its resistance to blight and scab. This storage potato plant produces between 2-5 pounds of potatoes per plant. They are perfect for boiling, roasting and baking. Elbas are drought tolerant and do well in sandy soil.

German Butter Ball

This is a heirloom potato that is similar to a Russet. German Butter Balls have delicious buttery flavor with tender, yellow flesh. The potato skin is thinner, making it easier to peel or leave on when cooking. It was first introduced in 1988 by the Ronniger Potato Farm in Idaho. A single yield per plant is between 2-4 pounds and are blight and scab resistant.

Satina

Satina also has yellow flesh with a buttery flavor and is perfect for mashed potatoes or boiling. It originated in Hamburg, Germany back in 1981. They produce high yields between 5-15 pounds and are disease resistant. Satinas are a favorite for many growers.

Kennebec

Developed in the 1940’s by the USDA and the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station. It’s named after a river in Maine. Kennebec’s are an all purpose potato with white flesh and light colored skin. At one time this was the main potato used to make potato chips. The potato produces between 2-6 pounds per plant.