Planting guide · zone 5a
When to plant potatoes in zone 5a
In zone 5a, the average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is Oct 1. Here is potatoes's whole year, counted from those dates.
Apr 24Plant seed potatoesSpring
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Soil & site
Loose, slightly acidic soil, pH 5.0–6.5. Avoid fresh manure and lime — both invite scab.
Seedling care
Cut seed potatoes into chunks with 1–2 eyes each and let the cut faces dry for a day or two before planting.
Growing notes
Hill soil up around the stems every few weeks — new tubers form above the seed piece, and sunlight turns exposed ones green and bitter.
Harvest
Steal new potatoes at flowering; dig the storage crop 2–3 weeks after the vines die back, and cure before storing.