Potato Varieties for Georgia: Why 'Shepody' Failed and What to Plant Instead

The Problem with 'Shepody' in the South

A gardener planted 12 lbs of 'Shepody' seed potatoes, only to harvest a handful of marble-sized tubers despite vigorous vines. The issue? 'Shepody' was bred for Canada's cool, sunny summers. In Georgia's heat, the plants put all energy into foliage, not tubers.

Better Varieties for Georgia

For spring planting, choose heat-tolerant varieties like 'Yukon Gold', 'Kennebec', or 'Sebago'. For a fall crop, 'Red LaSoda' can be planted before mid-August. Matching the variety to your climate is essential for a good potato harvest.

Additional Resource

See "Potato Production in the Home Garden" for more detailed guidance.