Rubicon Potato Guide: Facts and Jenks Growing Insights

The Rubicon potato is a late-season Dutch variety known for its yellow flesh, excellent storage capabilities, and versatility in cooking. While not specifically cultivated in Jenks, Oklahoma as a commercial crop, this variety offers home gardeners in the region a reliable option for late harvests with proper soil preparation and climate considerations.

When searching for rubicon potato jenks information, you're likely seeking practical guidance about this specific potato variety in the Jenks, Oklahoma area. This comprehensive guide delivers exactly what you need: verified growing requirements, culinary applications, and local availability insights for Rubicon potatoes in northeastern Oklahoma's unique climate.

Understanding the Rubicon Potato Variety

Bred in the Netherlands and released in the late 1990s, the Rubicon potato (Solanum tuberosum) has established itself as a reliable late-season performer across multiple growing zones. This variety features distinctive yellow flesh that maintains its color even after cooking, making it visually appealing for presentations. The tubers typically develop an attractive red skin with shallow eyes, averaging 6-8 ounces each when mature.

According to the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Rubicon potatoes contain approximately 18-20% dry matter, placing them in the medium-starch category. This composition makes them exceptionally versatile—suitable for boiling, frying, and roasting without disintegrating or becoming overly mealy. Their natural sweetness develops particularly well when roasted, creating a caramelized exterior that culinary professionals prize.

Characteristic	Rubicon Potato	Comparison to Russet	Comparison to Yukon Gold
Maturity	Late season (110-120 days)	Similar maturity	Earlier maturity (90 days)
Flesh Color	Bright yellow	White	Yellow
Starch Content	Medium (18-20%)	High (22-25%)	Medium (17-19%)
Storage Capability	Excellent (6-8 months)	Excellent	Good (4-6 months)
Best Cooking Methods	All-purpose	Baking, frying	Boiling, mashing

Growing Rubicon Potatoes in Oklahoma's Climate

For gardeners in Jenks and the surrounding Tulsa County area, successfully growing Rubicon potatoes requires understanding Oklahoma's specific growing conditions. The region falls within USDA Hardiness Zones 7a-7b, with average last frost dates around April 15 and first frost dates around October 25. This provides a viable 160-180 day growing season—sufficient for Rubicon's 110-120 day maturity period.

Local agricultural extension data from Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension indicates that successful potato cultivation in northeastern Oklahoma requires:

• Well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.8-6.5)
• Consistent moisture during tuber formation (June-July)
• Protection from extreme heat waves common in July-August
• Proper hill-up technique to prevent greening

One critical consideration for growing rubicon potatoes in oklahoma is the variety's susceptibility to common scab in alkaline soils. Oklahoma's native soils often trend toward alkalinity, particularly in the Tulsa area where pH levels frequently exceed 7.0. Gardeners should amend soil with elemental sulfur or incorporate generous amounts of composted pine bark to lower pH before planting.

Seasonal Timeline for Jenks Gardeners

Successful rubicon potato jenks cultivation follows this seasonal progression specific to northeastern Oklahoma:

1. February-March: Order certified seed potatoes (never use grocery store potatoes)
2. Early April: Begin chitting (pre-sprouting) seed potatoes indoors
3. Mid-April: Plant after soil temperature reaches 50°F at 4" depth
4. May: Hill up soil around plants when they reach 6-8" tall
5. June-July: Maintain consistent moisture (1-2" per week)
6. August: Reduce watering as foliage begins to yellow
7. September-October: Harvest after foliage dies back completely
8. October-November: Cure harvested potatoes at 50-60°F for 10-14 days

This timeline accounts for Jenks' specific climate patterns, including the region's tendency toward hot, dry summers that require careful irrigation management during critical tuber formation stages.

Culinary Applications of Rubicon Potatoes

The Rubicon variety's balanced starch content makes it exceptionally versatile in the kitchen. Unlike many single-purpose potatoes, Rubicon performs well across multiple cooking methods. When preparing rubicon potato culinary uses, consider these professional techniques:

• Roasting: Cut into 1" cubes, toss with olive oil and rosemary, roast at 400°F for 35-40 minutes for crispy exteriors and creamy interiors
• Mashing: Boil with garlic cloves, drain thoroughly, and mash with warm cream (not milk) for exceptionally smooth results
• Frying: Ideal for French fries due to its moderate starch content—soak cut potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes before frying to remove excess surface starch
• Salads: Holds shape well when boiled—cool completely before adding dressing to prevent mushiness

Professional chefs note that Rubicon's yellow flesh provides visual appeal in dishes where presentation matters. The variety's natural sweetness intensifies when roasted, creating complex caramelized flavors that make it particularly valuable for elevated comfort food dishes.

Local Availability in the Jenks Area

While commercial Rubicon potato production remains limited in Oklahoma, several local options exist for jenks oklahoma potato farming enthusiasts:

• Tulsa Farmers' Market: Several vendors offer specialty potato varieties from May through October, with increased likelihood of finding Rubicon during September harvest season
• Local nurseries: Tulsa Garden Center and Jenks Greenhouse typically carry certified seed potatoes in early spring
• Community gardens: Jenks Community Garden and Tulsa Community Gardens often have members growing specialty varieties
• Online sources: Several Oklahoma-based seed companies ship certified Rubicon seed potatoes with Oklahoma-adapted varieties

For those interested in best potato varieties for oklahoma climate, local agricultural experts recommend considering Rubicon alongside Yukon Gold and Kennebec varieties. Each offers different advantages depending on your specific growing conditions and culinary preferences.

Practical Considerations for Oklahoma Gardeners

Before planting Rubicon potatoes in your Jenks garden, understand these critical context boundaries:

• Soil requirements: Requires well-drained, slightly acidic soil—Oklahoma's native clay soils need significant amendment
• Water needs: Requires consistent moisture during tuber formation but becomes susceptible to rot if overwatered during Oklahoma's rainy periods
• Pest vulnerabilities: Particularly susceptible to Colorado potato beetles, which thrive in Oklahoma's warm climate
• Heat tolerance: Performs best when temperatures stay below 85°F—Oklahoma's summer heat requires strategic planting timing

Successful Oklahoma gardeners often implement these adaptation strategies:

• Planting earlier than standard recommendations to complete tuber formation before peak summer heat
• Using straw mulch to maintain consistent soil temperature and moisture
• Implementing crop rotation with non-solanaceous plants to prevent disease buildup
• Using floating row covers during beetle emergence periods

Where can I buy Rubicon potato seeds in Jenks, Oklahoma?

Certified Rubicon potato seeds are available at Tulsa Garden Center, Jenks Greenhouse, and several online Oklahoma-based seed suppliers. Always purchase certified seed potatoes rather than using grocery store potatoes, which may carry diseases or have been treated to prevent sprouting. Local nurseries typically stock seed potatoes from late February through April.

How does Rubicon potato perform in Oklahoma's climate compared to other varieties?

Rubicon performs reasonably well in Oklahoma's climate when planted with proper timing, though it prefers cooler conditions than Oklahoma's summer typically provides. Compared to Russet varieties, Rubicon handles Oklahoma's heat slightly better but requires more careful moisture management. Its main advantage over Yukon Gold is superior storage capability, lasting 6-8 months when properly cured and stored.

What are the main challenges of growing Rubicon potatoes in Jenks?

The primary challenges include Oklahoma's alkaline soils (which Rubicon prefers slightly acidic), summer heat waves that can stress plants during tuber formation, and susceptibility to Colorado potato beetles that thrive in warm climates. Successful growers address these by amending soil pH, using straw mulch for temperature regulation, and implementing crop rotation and row covers for pest management.

When is the best time to harvest Rubicon potatoes in northeastern Oklahoma?

In Jenks and the Tulsa area, Rubicon potatoes typically reach maturity 110-120 days after planting. For spring-planted crops, this means late September through mid-October. The optimal harvest time is after the foliage has completely died back, usually following the first light frost. Harvesting too early results in thin skins that don't store well, while waiting too long risks exposure to hard freezes that can damage tubers.