Caribou Russet is a northern potato bred for serious bakers and home cooks who demand exceptional results in the oven. This russet variety earns its reputation as a superior baking potato, delivering the fluffy interior and crispy skin that define a perfect baked potato. It grows as a compact bush plant and reaches harvest readiness in about 7-8 weeks for new potatoes, or longer if you're after full-sized main crop tubers. The variety shows resistance to Scab and Verticillium Wilt, two diseases that plague potato patches in many regions.
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Caribou Russet was developed specifically for northern growing regions where potato diseases and cool seasons test a variety's mettle. Its dual resistances to Scab and Verticillium Wilt mean fewer crop failures and healthier plants through the season. The tubers develop excellent skin that crisps beautifully when baked, while the flesh stays creamy and absorbent enough to hold butter and toppings without falling apart. Early harvests of tender new potatoes start arriving just seven to eight weeks after planting, making this one for gardeners who can't wait for fall.
Caribou Russet shines as a baking potato, where its sturdy flesh and crisp skin deliver that satisfying combination of texture and taste home cooks chase. The early new potatoes are equally welcome boiled whole with just butter and salt, or roasted until golden. Full-season main crop tubers store well and remain excellent for baking throughout winter.
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Cut seed potatoes into pieces roughly 1 to 1.25 inches in diameter (about 1.5 to 2 ounces each), ensuring at least one 'eye' per piece. Small tubers may be planted whole. Plant in early to midspring, placing pieces 2 to 3 inches deep and 12 inches apart, in rows spaced 30 to 36 inches apart. Plants will emerge in 2 to 3 weeks.
Small, tender new potatoes can be harvested beginning about 7 to 8 weeks after planting by carefully digging around plants without lifting them, selecting only the smallest tubers and leaving the rest to continue growing. For main crop harvest, wait until foliage has completely died back, then leave tubers in the ground for an additional 2 weeks to allow skins to set and cure. Dig tubers carefully, brush off excess soil gently, and allow skins to dry before storage.
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