Does it matter when potatoes are planted?

March 23, 2022 Ask the Expert, Vegetables

Question:

Does it matter when potatoes are planted if planted at least 90 days before the first frost?

Answer:

Abi Griffith, Horticulture Community Education Assistant

You could probably get away with planting about 90 days before your first frost, but there are a few things you may want to take into consideration. Check the “days to maturity” for the type of potato you are planting, since some late season varieties take up to 120 days. Also, if you are harvesting your potatoes for storage, you’ll want to budget in a few extra weeks for the skins to “set” while in the ground, after the plant dies back. The later you harvest, the more chance your potatoes could be sitting in cold or wet conditions, especially if your planting site tends towards being wet, so take that into consideration.

Otherwise, you could give it a go, but I’d maybe give yourself a little extra time if you can, due to all the unpredictable weather and factors in the fall! Hope that helps.

Here’s our Potato Facts Bulletin for additional potato growing tips.