When To Plant Potatoes In Vermont

If you’re planning your Vermont garden, knowing when to plant potatoes is the first step to a successful harvest. Getting the timing right for when to plant potatoes in Vermont makes all the difference between a bumper crop and a disappointing one.

Our cold springs and short growing season mean we have to work with nature’s schedule. This guide will walk you through the simple signs to watch for and the steps to take for an optimal spring harvest.

The classic rule for planting potatoes in Vermont is to get them in the ground around the time of the last spring frost. For most of the state, the ideal window is from late April through mid-May.

Soil temperature is a more reliable guide than the calendar. You want the soil to be consistently around 45–50°F. If you plant too early in cold, wet soil, your seed potatoes may just rot instead of sprouting.

Understanding Your Vermont Growing Zone

Vermont spans USDA Hardiness Zones 3b to 5b. This variation affects your specific planting date by a week or two.

Zones 4a & 4b (Southern & Central VT): Target planting from late April to early May. Areas like Brattleboro, Bennington, and Rutland often fall here.
Zones 3b & 5a (Northeast Kingdom & Champlain Valley): In colder higher elevations, wait until mid-May. In the warmer Lake Champlain basin, you can sometimes plant a bit earlier in May.

Always check your local last frost date as a starting point. A good resource is the University of Vermont Extension service.

How to Prepare Your Seed Potatoes

You should’nt use potatoes from the grocery store. Buy certified disease-free seed potatoes from a garden center. Here’s how to get them ready, a process called “chitting”:

Order Early: Purchase your seed potatoes in March or early April.
Let Them Sprout: Place them in a cool (50-60°F), bright spot for 4-6 weeks before planting. This encourages strong, short sprouts.
Cut Them (Optional): Larger seed potatoes can be cut into pieces, each with 2-3 “eyes” or sprouts. Do this 1-2 days before planting to let the cuts heal over.

Choosing the Right Potato Varieties for Vermont

Selecting varieties suited to our climate is crucial. Look for types with shorter “days to maturity” (under 90 days) for the best success.

Early Season (60-80 days): ‘Dark Red Norland’, ‘Yukon Gold’, ‘Adirondack Blue’. These are great for an early summer harvest.
Mid-Season (80-90 days): ‘Kennebec’, ‘Superior’, ‘German Butterball’. These are reliable workhorses that store well.
Late Season (90+ days): ‘Russet Burbank’, ‘Green Mountain’. Only attempt these in the warmest parts of Vermont with a long summer.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

Once your soil is workable and warmed up, follow these steps:

Pick a Sunny Spot: Potatoes need full sun—at least 6 hours of direct light daily.
Prepare the Soil: Work the soil deeply, mixing in plenty of compost or well-rotted manure. Potatoes prefer loose, slightly acidic soil.
Plant Correctly: Dig a trench or individual holes about 4-6 inches deep. Place the seed potato piece sprout-side up.
Space Them Out: Space pieces 12 inches apart in rows that are 2.5 to 3 feet apart.
Cover Gently: Cover with 4 inches of soil. Don’t pack it down to hard.

As the plants grow, you’ll “hill” soil around the stems to protect the developing tubers from sunlight, which turns them green and toxic.

Caring for Your Potato Plants

Consistent care through the season protects your investment.

Watering: Provide 1-2 inches of water per week, especially once tubers start forming. Even moisture is key to prevent knobby potatoes.
Hilling: When plants are 6-8 inches tall, mound soil around the base, leaving a few inches of leaves exposed. Repeat every few weeks.
Weeding: Weed carefully by hand to avoid damaging the shallow roots.
Pest Watch: Keep an eye out for Colorado potato beetles. Pick them off by hand if you see them.

When and How to Harvest

You can start harvesting “new” potatoes about 2-3 weeks after the plants finish flowering. For mature potatoes meant for storage, wait until the plant’s foliage turns yellow and dies back completely, usually in late August or September.

Use a digging fork, not a shovel, to gently loosen the soil several inches away from the plant.
Lift the plant and carefully sift through the soil for all the tubers.
Let the potatoes cure in a dark, well-ventilated place for 1-2 weeks before storing them in a cool, dark cellar.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Even with perfect timing, issues can arise. Here’s a few common ones:

Green Potatoes: Caused by exposure to sunlight. Always hill properly and store in total darkness.
Scabby Patches: Caused by soil-borne bacteria. Rotate your potato crop to a new spot each year and avoid alkaline soils.
Small Harvest: Often due to planting to early in cold soil, inconsistent watering, or a lack of sunlight.

FAQ: Planting Potatoes in Vermont

Can I plant potatoes in June in Vermont?

You can, but it’s not ideal for a main crop. June planting is best for a late fall harvest of small, “new” potatoes, as the plants won’t have as much time to mature before frost.

What happens if I plant potatoes too early?

Planting to early in cold, wet soil is the most common mistake. It can cause seed pieces to rot before they sprout, leading to poor stands and a weak harvest.

How do I protect potatoes from a late frost?

If sprouts emerge and a hard frost is forecast, you can cover the rows with a thick layer of straw or use floating row covers. A light frost usually won’t harm them if they are still underground.

Can I grow potatoes in containers in Vermont?

Absolutely. Using large containers or grow bags is a great option, especially if you have limited space or poor soil. They often warm up faster in spring, allowing for slightly earlier planting.

Timing your potato planting correctly in Vermont sets the stage for the entire growing season. By watching the soil temperature, preparing your seed, and choosing the right varieties, you give your garden it’s best chance for success. With a little patience and these simple steps, you’ll be rewarded with a hearty, homegrown harvest that lasts well into winter.