How to protect potato tubers from phytophthora during late summer

Yellowing foliage and wilting potato stems in August often lead gardeners to harvest prematurely. However, rushing the process can result in significant losses during winter storage if the tubers are not physiologically ready. The primary indicator for harvesting is not a calendar date, but the maturity of the tuber skin. Determining Harvest Readiness Environmental conditions vary annually, making fixed dates unreliable. To determine if potatoes are ready for mass harvest, gardeners should observe the plants: look for noticeable wilting and yellowing of the lower leaves. To verify maturity, dig up a single plant and rub a tuber with a finger. If the skin is thick and remains intact, the crop is ready. If the skin is thin and peels away easily, harvesting should be delayed by one week.