If you’re planning a fall harvest of spuds, knowing when to plant fall potatoes in Virginia is your first and most important step. Getting the timing right means you’ll enjoy a fresh crop of potatoes just as the weather cools, extending your garden’s productivity well into autumn.
Planting potatoes for a fall crop is a bit different than the traditional spring planting. It requires a little more planning to beat the frost and manage the summer heat. But the reward of digging up new potatoes in October is absolutely worth the effort. This guide will walk you through the optimal schedule and methods for success in Virginia’s varied climate.
When To Plant Fall Potatoes In Virginia
The optimal timing for planting fall potatoes in Virginia centers around your first expected fall frost date. You need to work backwards from that critical point.
Potatoes typically need 90 to 120 days to reach maturity, depending on the variety. Since fall planting happens in the heat of summer, the plants will start growing quickly. But you must ensure they have enough time to fully develop before a hard freeze.
Here’s a simple calculation:
- Find your area’s average first frost date. In Virginia, this ranges from early October in the mountains to late October or even November in coastal areas.
- Count back 90 to 120 days from that frost date. This gives you your target planting window.
- For most of Virginia, the ideal window for planting fall potatoes is from late July to mid-August.
Planting in late July gives the tubers plenty of time to size up. If you plant in early August, you might opt for a faster-maturing variety to be safe. Waiting to late August is risky for all but the fastest-growing types or the warmest parts of the state.
Why Fall Potato Planting is Unique
Fall planting isn’t just a repeat of spring. The challenges are flipped. In spring, you worry about soil being to cold and wet. In summer, for the fall crop, you contend with heat and potentially dry soil.
The summer heat can stress young plants. Your key tasks are providing consistent moisture and watching for pests, which are more active in summer. The benefit is that the plants will enjoy cooler, milder weather as they begin to tuberate and mature, which they prefer.
Choosing the Right Potato Varieties for Fall
Selecting a variety with the right “days to maturity” is crucial for fall success. You want potatoes that can be ready for harvest before a severe freeze damages them.
- Early Season (70-90 days): These are your best bet. Look for varieties like ‘Yukon Gold’, ‘Red Norland’, or ‘Irish Cobbler’. They mature quickly, giving you a buffer if an early frost arrives.
- Mid-Season (90-110 days): You can plant these if you get them in the ground by late July. Examples include ‘Kennebec’ and ‘Viking Purple’.
- Late Season (110+ days): Generally not recommended for fall planting in Virginia unless you are in the far southeastern part of the state with a very long growing season.
Always use certified disease-free seed potatoes. Do not use potatoes from the grocery store, as they may treated with sprout inhibitors and can introduce disease.
Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Your Fall Potatoes
Follow these steps to get your fall potato crop off to a strong start.
1. Preparing Seed Potatoes
Finding seed potatoes in July can be tricky. You may need to order them online in advance or save some from your spring crop if you had one. “Green sprout” or pre-sprout your seed potatoes for a head start. Place them in a bright, airy spot for about a week until they develop short, sturdy sprouts.
2. Preparing the Soil
Potatoes need loose, well-draining soil. Choose a spot that gets full sun. Work the soil deeply, mixing in several inches of compost or well-rotted manure. This improves drainage and fertility. A slightly acidic soil pH of 5.8 to 6.5 is ideal to help prevent scab disease.
3. The Planting Process
- Plant Deeply for Moisture: In summer, plant your seed potato pieces 4 to 6 inches deep. This deeper planting helps protect them from the drying heat at the soil surface.
- Water Immediately and Thoroughly: After planting, give the bed a long, deep watering to settle the soil and provide crucial moisture for the seed piece.
- Mulch Heavily: This is the most important step for fall planting. Apply a 6- to 8-inch layer of straw, shredded leaves, or grass clippings over the planted area. Mulch keeps the soil significantly cooler, retains moisture, and suppresses weeds.
Caring for Your Fall Potato Crop
Consistent care through the season is what leads to a bountiful harvest.
Watering
Potatoes need about 1 to 2 inches of water per week, especially during tuber formation (which happens as days shorten). The combination of summer heat and mulch means you must check soil moisture regularly. Water deeply at the base of the plants to encourage deep roots. Avoid overhead watering which can promote fungal diseases on the foliage.
Hilling
Once plants are about 6-8 inches tall, gently pull some of your mulch up around the stems. You can also add a little extra soil or compost. This “hilling” protects developing tubers from sunlight (which turns them green and toxic) and supports the plant. You may only need to do this once for a fall crop.
Pest and Disease Watch
Be vigilant. Colorado potato beetles, aphids, and flea beetles can be problematic in summer. Hand-pick beetles and their larvae. Row covers can provide a physical barrier. Watch for early blight, which shows as brown spots on leaves. Good air circulation, avoiding wet foliage, and removing infected leaves can help manage it.
Harvesting Your Fall Potatoes
Your harvest time will depend on your planting date and variety.
- For “New” Potatoes: You can gently dig around plants about 2-3 weeks after they finish flowering for tender, small potatoes.
- For Mature, Storage Potatoes: Wait until the plant tops (vines) have completely died back after a frost. This allows the skins to toughen up for storage. Use a garden fork to carefully dig up your crop on a dry day.
If an early hard frost is forecasted and your vines are still green, you can still harvest. The frost will kill the tops, but you should dig up the tubers within a week or two to prevent rot.
After digging, let the potatoes cure in a single layer in a dark, well-ventilated place (like a garage) for about 10 days. This final step helps them store for months in a cool, dark cellar or pantry.
FAQs: Fall Potatoes in Virginia
Can I plant potatoes in September in Virginia?
Planting in September is generally to late for traditional potato varieties to form a meaningfull crop before frost. The soil is also cooling, which slows growth. Your focus in September should be on harvesting, not planting, potatoes.
What if I miss the late July/August window?
If it’s already late August or early September, consider planting a fast-growing crop like radishes or spinach instead. You can also try planting potatoes in large containers that you can move to a protected area if frost threatens early, but results may be limited.
Do I need to water fall potatoes more than spring potatoes?
Yes, typically. The initial growth period for fall potatoes coincides with the hottest, often driest part of the summer. Evaporation is higher, so consistent watering is even more critical to get the plants established.
Can I use my own saved potatoes as seed?
You can, but only if they are from a healthy, disease-free plant. It’s often safer to start with new certified seed potatoes each season to avoid accumulating soil-borne diseases in your garden bed. Saving your own is a great goal, but requires careful selection.
With the right timing and these simple techniques, you can enjoy the satisfaction of a second potato harvest from your Virginia garden. The key is to mark your calendar for that late-summer planting date, prepare for the heat, and get those seed potatoes in the ground. A little planning now leads to a plentiful harvest of homegrown potatoes just in time for autumn meals.