Plant Potatoes in Zone 6a
Seed-starting, transplant & harvest dates for USDA Zone 6a
Zone 6a averages 176 frost-free days, running from a last spring frost around April 20 to a first fall frost around October 13. Potatoes needs roughly 90 days from planting out to first harvest, so it uses about 51 percent of that window. Potatoes is a half-hardy crop, which is what decides where in the window it belongs.
Potatoes handles cold soil, so there is no reason to wait for the frost date. Direct sow around Apr 6, roughly 2 weeks before the Zone 6a last frost, as soon as the ground is workable. Sowing at the last frost instead costs you the coolest and best part of the season.
Planting potatoes for a fall harvest in Zone 6a
Yes. Sow potatoes by July 11 in Zone 6a. That is 94 days before the average first frost, which covers the 90 days to maturity plus about two weeks for the slower growth that comes with shortening days, minus the roughly 10 days potatoes keeps going once light frost arrives.
A fall potato crop works in zone 8 and warmer, planted in late summer from certified seed pieces that have broken dormancy.
Fall dates are counted backward from the Zone 6a average first frost, not forward from a sowing date. See the fall planting calendar by zone for the full method.
Spring vs fall potatoes in Zone 6a
| Planting | Sow or start | In the ground | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Apr 6 | Apr 6 | Jul 5 |
| Fall | by Jul 11 | Jul 11 | Oct 9 |
Potatoes in nearby zones
Further reading on potatoes
- Last frost date and what to plant before it
Why potatoes can go out before your last frost, and how far before.
- Best raised garden beds for beginners
Loose, deep soil is most of what root crops need.
- Row covers vs frost blankets
Which cover buys potatoes the extra degrees on a frosty night.
Other crops in Zone 6a
Frequently asked questions
When should I start potatoes in Zone 6a?
Direct sow outdoors around Apr 6.
Can I direct sow potatoes in Zone 6a?
Yes, direct sow around Apr 6.
Can I plant potatoes in the fall in Zone 6a?
Yes. Sow potatoes by July 11 in Zone 6a. That is 94 days before the average first frost, which covers the 90 days to maturity plus about two weeks for the slower growth that comes with shortening days, minus the roughly 10 days potatoes keeps going once light frost arrives.
Will potatoes survive frost in Zone 6a?
Potatoes is a half-hardy crop and keeps going roughly 10 days past the first light frost in Zone 6a. A row cover or a straw mulch buys more.