When to Plant Potatoes: Seed Pieces, Spacing, and Harvest
Cool-season tuber crop grown from certified seed potatoes, hilled as shoots grow, and dug as new potatoes or stored mature tubers
When to plant potatoes
Start with certified seed
Buy disease-free seed tubers from a certified grower or garden center. Do not plant grocery store potatoes. They may be treated to stay dormant, and they can carry disease that remains in the soil.
Cut, cure, and plant
Small tubers about 1 to 1 1/4 inches can go in whole. Cut larger tubers into about 1 1/4 inch pieces with at least one eye, then hold them at 60 to 70 F for a few days until the cut face dries. Plant 10 to 12 inches apart and 3 to 5 inches deep, in rows 30 to 36 inches apart.
Hill and harvest
Hill soil around the plants when stems are about a foot tall so tubers stay covered and do not turn green. You can dig new potatoes about 7 to 8 weeks after planting. Harvest mature tubers after the plants have dried.
Sources: Minnesota Extension: growing potatoes.
How many to grow for what you cook: Roasted root vegetables, Potato salad, Garden vegetable soup. Plate to Plot planner
Pets: Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA). Garden potato is not on the ASPCA plant list. An ASPCA Animal Poison Control garden safety article says raw potatoes can cause significant gastrointestinal upset. The same article says cooked potatoes are a safe treat if fed in moderation. Pet-Safe Garden Finder
Best Time and Place to Plant Potato
Zone dates below are a starting point. Check local frost dates, soil conditions and the seed packet before planting.
Plant Potato in a spot with 6+ hours of direct sun, soil warmed to 50F to 70F, and enough room for 12 inches between plants and 36 inches between rows.
Planting Windows by Zone
| Zone | Spring | Fall |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | May 15 to June 10 | Spring only |
| Zone 2 | May 5 to May 31 | Spring only |
| Zone 3 | April 20 to May 20 | Spring only |
| Zone 4 | April 1 to May 15 | Spring only |
| Zone 5 | March 25 to May 10 | Spring only |
| Zone 6 | March 15 to April 30 | Spring only |
| Zone 7 | March 1 to April 20 | Spring only |
| Zone 8 | February 15 to April 10 | Spring only |
| Zone 9 | February 1 to March 20 | Spring only |
| Zone 10 | January 15 to March 1 | Spring only |
| Zone 11 | January 1 to February 15 | Spring only |
| Zone 12 | January 1 to February 1 | Spring only |
| Zone 13 | Year-round | Year-round |
Spacing and Care
- Planting depth: Use certified seed potatoes, not grocery tubers. Cut large tubers into about 1 1/4 inch pieces with at least one eye and cure a few days at 60 to 70 F. Plant 10 to 12 inches apart and 3 to 5 inches deep in rows 30 to 36 inches apart. Hill when stems are about a foot tall.
- Spacing: 12 inches apart, 36 inches between rows
- Soil temperature: 50F to 70F
- Sunlight: 6+ hours
- Watering: About 1 inch per week; soak the soil thoroughly once or twice a week
- Days to harvest: 80
Fertilization
- Compost organic: Work in before planting; potatoes need more fertilizer than most vegetables
- Side-dress nitrogen synthetic: 0.15 lb actual nitrogen per 50 feet of row at each hilling, starting about 4 weeks after planting
Companion Plants
No specific companion plants are listed yet.
Avoid Planting Near
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Tomatillos
Check any pair, and see which pairings have research behind them, on the Companion Planting Desk.
Harvest Signs
- New potatoes can be dug about 7 to 8 weeks after planting
- Mature tubers are ready after plants have dried or when tubers reach full size
- Storage skins should be hard to rub off with your thumb
- Use cut or injured tubers first and do not store them
Track picks and rate the season on the Harvest Log.
FAQs
When should I plant Potato?
Buy disease-free seed tubers from a certified grower or garden center. Do not plant grocery store potatoes. They may be treated to stay dormant, and they can carry disease that remains in the soil.
What is the best time of year to plant Potato?
Buy disease-free seed tubers from a certified grower or garden center. Do not plant grocery store potatoes. They may be treated to stay dormant, and they can carry disease that remains in the soil. Small tubers about 1 to 1 1/4 inches can go in whole. Cut larger tubers into about 1 1/4 inch pieces with at least one eye, then hold them at 60 to 70 F for a few days until the cut face dries. Plant 10 to 12 inches apart and 3 to 5 inches deep, in rows 30 to 36 inches apart.
Where is the best place to plant Potato?
Plant Potato in a spot with 6+ hours of direct sun, soil warmed to 50F to 70F, and enough room for 12 inches between plants and 36 inches between rows.
How far apart should I plant Potato?
Plant Potato about 12 inches apart, with rows around 36 inches apart.
What grows well with Potato?
Use compatible herbs, flowers, and crops that share similar sunlight and watering needs.
How long does Potato take to grow?
Potato is typically ready to harvest in about 80 days under good conditions. Use the harvest signs below rather than the calendar alone.
How do I know when to harvest Potato?
Harvest Potato when new potatoes can be dug about 7 to 8 weeks after planting. Mature tubers are ready after plants have dried or when tubers reach full size Storage skins should be hard to rub off with your thumb