Plant Potatoes in Zone 7a
Seed-starting, transplant & harvest dates for USDA Zone 7a
Zone 7a averages 198 frost-free days, running from a last spring frost around April 10 to a first fall frost around October 25. Potatoes needs roughly 90 days from planting out to first harvest, so it uses about 45 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 Mar 27, roughly 2 weeks before the Zone 7a 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 7a
Yes. Sow potatoes by July 23 in Zone 7a. 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 7a 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 7a
| Planting | Sow or start | In the ground | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Mar 27 | Mar 27 | Jun 25 |
| Fall | by Jul 23 | Jul 23 | Oct 21 |
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 7a
Frequently asked questions
When should I start potatoes in Zone 7a?
Direct sow outdoors around Mar 27.
Can I direct sow potatoes in Zone 7a?
Yes, direct sow around Mar 27.
Can I plant potatoes in the fall in Zone 7a?
Yes. Sow potatoes by July 23 in Zone 7a. 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 7a?
Potatoes is a half-hardy crop and keeps going roughly 10 days past the first light frost in Zone 7a. A row cover or a straw mulch buys more.