When To Plant Red Potatoes In Texas

Getting your red potato planting time right in Texas is the single most important step for a great harvest. If you’re wondering when to plant red potatoes in Texas, the answer depends heavily on your specific region within the state’s diverse climates. This guide will break down the best planting windows and give you the know-how to grow a succesful crop.

Texas is a big state with multiple climate zones. Because of this, there isn’t one universal planting date. Your schedule is primarily determined by whether you are planting in the cooler months for a summer harvest, or in the late summer for a fall harvest. Frost is the main enemy for potato plants.

Understanding Texas Growing Seasons

Potatoes are a cool-season crop. They grow best when daytime temperatures are between 60-70°F. The tubers actually stop forming when soil temperatures get above 80°F. This is why we time planting for the shoulders of the year.

Spring Planting: This is the most common planting time. You plant in late winter or early spring so the plants mature before the intense summer heat arrives.
Fall Planting: In many parts of Texas, a second planting in late summer allows for a fall harvest. This can sometimes yeild even better than spring, as the crop matures in cooler, wetter autumn weather.

Regional Planting Dates for Red Potatoes

Here’s a breakdown by general region. These are estimated windows; always watch your local weather forecasts for the last expected frost date in spring.

North Texas (Dallas, Fort Worth, Waco)

Spring planting should be done from mid-February to early March. Fall planting is more challenging due to early frosts, but you can aim for late July to early August.

Central Texas (Austin, San Antonio, Hill Country)

This region has a longer growing window. For spring, plant from late January through mid-February. For a fall crop, plant between August 1st and August 20th.

South Texas (Corpus Christi, Lower Rio Grande Valley)

Your winters are mild, so you can plant as early as January for a spring harvest. Fall planting is excellent here, typically from late August into September.

West Texas (El Paso, Lubbock, Panhandle)

Spring comes later and fall frost arrives early. Wait to plant until mid to late March for spring. Fall planting is risky but can be attempted in early August with frost protection ready.

East Texas (Tyler, Beaumont, Longview) has similar timing to North Texas, but with a bit more humidity to contend with.

How to Prepare for Planting

Once you know your date, proper preparation is key. Start about 2-3 weeks before you plan to plant.

Choose Seed Potatoes: Always use certified disease-free seed potatoes from a garden center, not grocery store potatoes. Good red varieties for Texas include Red LaSoda (heat-tolerant) and Pontiac.
Chit (Pre-sprout) Your Potatoes: Place seed potatoes in a cool, bright spot for 2-4 weeks. This encourages short, sturdy sprouts for a faster start.
Prepare Your Soil: Potatoes need loose, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH (5.8-6.5). Work in 3-4 inches of compost or aged manure. Avoid fresh manure, which can cause scab disease.
Cut and Cure Large Seed Potatoes: If your seed potatoes are larger than a golf ball, you can cut them into pieces. Each piece must have at least 1-2 eyes (sprouts). Let the cut pieces air-dry for 1-2 days to form a callus, preventing rot.

The Planting Process Step-by-Step

On planting day, dig a trench about 6 inches deep.
Space seed potato pieces 12 inches apart in the trench, with the eyes facing up.
Cover with 4 inches of soil. Leave the remaining 2 inches of trench depth empty.
As the plants grow to about 6-8 inches tall, gradually “hill” soil around the stems, filling in the trench and mounding it up. This protects developing tubers from sunlight (which turns them green and toxic) and encourages more potato formation.
Water deeply at planting and maintain consistent moisture, especially once tubers start forming.

Caring for Your Growing Potatoes

Consistent care prevents problems and boosts your yield. Keep an eye on a few critical things.

Watering: Provide 1-2 inches of water per week. Inconsistent watering leads to knobby or cracked potatoes. Drip irrigation is ideal to keep foliage dry and prevent disease.
Fertilizing: Use a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer at planting. Too much nitrogen gives you lots of leaves but few potatoes. A side dressing of potash when hilling can help tuber development.
Pests & Diseases: Watch for Colorado potato beetles and aphids. Hand-pick beetles. Blight can be a issue in humid areas; use resistant varieties and ensure good air circulation. Always rotate where you plant potatoes each year.

Harvesting Your Texas Red Potatoes

You can harvest “new” potatoes about 2-3 weeks after the plants finish flowering. For mature, storage-ready potatoes, wait until the plant vines have completely yellowed and died back.

Use a digging fork to carefully loosen the soil beside the hill.
Gently sift through the soil with your hands to find all the tubers. Damaged potatoes won’t store well, so be careful.
Let potatoes cure in a dark, well-ventilated place for 1-2 weeks to toughen their skins for storage.
Store cured potatoes in a cool, dark, and humid place (ideally 38-40°F). Do not store them in the refrigerator, as it’s too cold.

FAQ: Planting Potatoes in Texas

Can I plant red potatoes from the grocery store?
It’s not recommended. They are often treated with sprout inhibitors and may carry soil-borne diseases that could infect your garden.

What if I miss the spring planting window?
You can try for a fall crop. Alternatively, in regions like South Texas, you can plant in very early winter for a late spring harvest.

How deep should I plant potato pieces?
A common mistake is planting too shallow. The 6-inch trench method, followed by hilling, provides the depth and loose soil tubers need.

Why are my potato leaves turning yellow?
Late in the season, this is normal as the plant matures. If it happens early, it could be a sign of overwatering, a nutrient deficiency, or a disease like early blight.

Can I grow potatoes in containers in Texas?
Absolutely. Use a large container (like a 20-gallon pot) with excellent drainage. The process is the same, and it’s a great way to control soil quality and avoid some pests. Container soil can heat up fast, so partial afternoon shade in summer is beneficial.

Timing your planting correctly is the foundation. By following these regional guidelines and best practices, you’ll be well on your way to harvesting a bounty of homegrown red potatoes. There’s nothing quite like digging up your own fresh spuds from the garden.