Field guide
When to plant potatoes in USDA Zones 11–13
In USDA Zones 11–13, the planner’s broad outdoor planting window for potatoes runs from January to February, with a second window from September to October. Potatoes takes 70–120 days from planting to first harvest.
Open plannerPlanting calendar for USDA Zones 11–13
- Spring planting
- January to February
- Fall planting
- September to October
- Days to harvest
- 70–120 days
- Water needs
- medium
What USDA Zones 11–13 do—and do not—tell you
These zones span average annual extreme minimum temperatures of roughly 40°F to 70°F. That is useful climate context, but it does not determine your exact frost dates. Check a local forecast or county Extension calendar before planting tender crops.
How to know when to harvest
- New potatoes: harvest when plants flower (small, tender)
- Storage potatoes: wait until foliage dies back and turns brown
- Skin should not rub off easily when ready for storage
Want a plan that accounts for your crops, growing method, equipment, and plant conditions? Open the free planner for a daily crop checklist and adaptive harvest forecast.
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