Potatoes are mainly planted in spring, with timing depending on the variety and location:
- First earlies: plant around late March
- Second earlies: plant in early to mid-April
- Maincrops: plant from mid-April to early May
Plant slightly later in colder regions and earlier in milder ones. If you want an extra early crop, plant chitted (sprouted) early varieties in early March in a frost-free greenhouse. For a winter or Christmas crop, plant prepared seed potatoes in July or early August in a greenhouse or frost-free indoor location. General advice is to plant potatoes about 2-4 weeks before the last expected frost date in your area. Planting too early in cold, wet soil can cause seed potatoes to rot. Potatoes thrive in cool weather, so early to mid- spring is best for outdoor planting. In warmer areas, potatoes can also be planted from late August to November for a later crop. For locations with frosts, planting should happen at least 110 days before the average first frost to ensure the plants mature in time. Potatoes grow well in soil temperatures below 75°F and need fertile, well-drained soil. In summary, aim to plant potatoes from late March to early May for most spring crops, adjusting for your climate and frost dates. Early planting in containers indoors is also an option to get a head start.
