When To Plant Potatoes In Va

Getting your potato planting time right in Virginia is the single biggest factor for a great harvest. If you plant too early, a late frost could damage your plants; plant too late, and the summer heat can stunt your tubers. This guide will walk you through the best planting times for Virginia, broken down by region, and give you the simple steps to get your spuds in the ground at the perfect moment.

For most of Virginia, the ideal potato planting window is in early spring. The traditional rule is to plant your seed potatoes about 2-4 weeks before your last expected spring frost date. Since potatoes can tolerate a little cool weather and even a light frost, getting them in early allows them to establish roots and begin growing as soon as the soil is workable.

Understanding Virginia’s Planting Zones

Virginia spans USDA hardiness zones from 5b in the mountainous west to 8a on the eastern shore. This variation means planting time isn’t the same in Bristol as it is in Virginia Beach. Your local last frost date is your key calendar marker.

Coastal & Southeastern VA (Zones 7b-8a): This includes areas like Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Chesapeake. Your last frost is typically late March to early April. Aim to plant from mid-March to early April.
Piedmont & Central VA (Zones 7a-7b): This covers Richmond, Charlottesville, and Lynchburg. Your last frost usually falls in mid-April. The best planting time here is late March through mid-April.
Mountain & Western VA (Zones 5b-6b): For regions like Roanoke, Blacksburg, and the Shenandoah Valley, last frosts can occur from late April to even mid-May. Wait to plant until early to mid-May in these cooler elevations.

Soil Temperature is Your Secret Guide

While the calendar is helpful, soil temperature is a more reliable signal. Potatoes need cool, but not frozen, soil to begin growing.

The perfect soil temperature for planting potatoes is consistently between 45°F and 55°F.
You can use a simple soil thermometer to check. Measure it at a depth of about 4 inches in the morning for an accurate reading.
If the soil is too cold (below 45°F), your seed potatoes will just sit there and are more likely to rot. If its too warm, growth can be rushed and less robust.

Choosing the Right Potato Type for Your Season

Potatoes are catagorized by how long they take to mature. This affects both planting and harvesting.

Early Season (70-90 days): Varieties like ‘Red Norland’ or ‘Yukon Gold’ mature quickly. They are excellent for getting a harvest before the peak summer heat and are a good choice for all regions.
Mid-Season (90-110 days): Includes popular types like ‘Kennebec’ and ‘Viking Purple’. These offer a balance between yield and growing time.
Late Season (110-135 days): Varieties like ‘Russet Burbank’ need a long, cool growing season. They are best suited for the mountain regions or very early spring plantings in Piedmont.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Potatoes in Virginia

Once your timing is set, follow these steps for success.

Step 1: Select and Prepare Seed Potatoes

Always use certified disease-free seed potatoes from a garden center, not grocery store potatoes. About 1-2 weeks before planting, “chit” or sprout them. Place them in a cool, bright spot so they develop short, sturdy green sprouts.

Step 2: Prepare Your Garden Bed

Potatoes need loose, well-draining soil with lots of organic matter. Choose a spot that gets full sun (at least 6 hours). Work the soil deeply, mixing in compost or aged manure. Avoid fresh manure, as it can cause scab disease on the potato skins.

Step 3: The Planting Process

Dig trenches about 6-8 inches deep and space them 2-3 feet apart.
Place your seed potato pieces (each with 1-2 eyes) cut-side down in the trench, spacing them about 12 inches apart.
Cover the potatoes with 4 inches of soil. Do not fill the trench completely yet.
Water the area gently but thoroughly.

Step 4: Hill Your Plants as They Grow

This is a critical step for Virginia gardens. As the plants grow to about 6-8 inches tall, gently mound soil from around the plant up around the stems, leaving just the top few leaves exposed. Repeat this process every few weeks. Hilling protects the developing tubers from sunlight (which turns them green and toxic) and encourages more potatoes to form along the buried stem.

What About a Fall Potato Crop?

In parts of Virginia with milder winters (primarily zones 7b and 8a), you can plant a second crop in late summer for a fall harvest. The timing is trickier, as you need to count backwards from your first fall frost date.

For a fall harvest, plant your potatoes about 110 days before your first expected fall frost. For many in coastal Virginia, this means a planting date in late July to early August.
The main challenge is the summer heat at planting time. Provide ample water and consider using a light mulch to keep the soil cooler. Shade cloth can help young plants get established.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced gardeners can make a few slip-ups. Here’s what to watch for:

Planting Whole, Large Potatoes: Always cut larger seed potatoes into pieces, each with at least one eye. This saves money and gives you more plants.
Forgetting to Hill: Unhilled potatoes will turn green at the surface. Green potatoes contain solanine and should not be eaten.
Overwatering at Planting: While potatoes need consistent moisture, soggy soil will cause seed pieces to rot. Ensure your bed drains well.
Ignoring Crop Rotation: Don’t plant potatoes in the same spot where you grew tomatoes, peppers, or eggplants the previous year. They are all in the nightshade family and share diseases.

FAQ: Planting Potatoes in Virginia

Can I plant potatoes from the grocery store?

It’s not recommended. Store-bought potatoes are often treated with a sprout inhibitor and may carry soil-borne diseases that can infect your garden. Certified seed potatoes are a safer, more reliable investment.

How do I protect my early planted potatoes from a late frost?

If a frost is forecasted after your potato leaves have emerged, simply cover the plants with a thick layer of straw, a frost blanket, or even old towels. Remove the cover in the morning once the temperature rises.

What’s the latest I can plant potatoes in Virginia?

For a spring crop, planting later than May in the mountains or late April in the Piedmont risks the tubers developing during the hottest part of summer, which can reduce yeild. For a fall crop, calculate your planting date based on the 110-day rule before your first frost.

Can I grow potatoes in containers in VA?

Absolutely. Use a large container (like a 15-gallon grow bag) with excellent drainage. The process is the same: plant, and continue to add soil as the plants grows to “hill” inside the container. This is a great option for small spaces or poor soil.

By following these regional timing guides and simple steps, you’ll set your Virginia potato patch up for a productive season. Paying attention to your local frost dates and soil conditions is the best way to ensure you get a bountiful harvest of homegrown potatoes. Remember, a little patience in the spring leads to plenty of potatoes on your table later in the year.