If you’re a gardener in Central Florida, knowing when to plant potatoes is your first step to a successful harvest. The unique climate here means timing is everything, and getting it right can mean the difference between a bumper crop and disappointment.
Our warm winters and hot, humid summers create a specific planting window. Potatoes are a cool-season crop, so we have to work around the heat. Let’s break down the best schedule and methods for your garden.
When To Plant Potatoes In Central Florida
For most of Central Florida, the optimal planting season for potatoes is from late December through early February. This timeframe allows the potatoes to grow during the cooler months and be harvested before the intense summer heat and heavy rains arrive.
Planting too early in the fall can expose young plants to lingering warm soil, which encourages disease. Planting too late means the tubers will be trying to form as temperatures rise, resulting in poor development.
Why This Specific Season Matters
Potato plants thrive in daytime temperatures of 60-70°F. They can tolerate light frosts but are damaged by hard freezes. Our winter provides this ideal growing period. The tubers themselves form best when soil temperatures are between 60-70°F. Once soil temps consistently exceed 80°F, tuber production halts.
Key Factors for Your Planting Date
- Your Exact Location: Coastal areas may have a slightly longer window than inland spots.
- Soil Temperature: Aim for soil that has cooled to below 80°F. A simple soil thermometer is a great investment.
- Variety Choice: Some potato types mature faster than others, offering a bit more flexibility.
Choosing the Right Potato Varieties
Not all potatoes perform equally well in Florida’s conditions. Selecting a variety adapted to our climate is crucial for good results.
- Yukon Gold: A reliable all-rounder with good heat tolerance and a shorter growing season.
- Red Pontiac: Excellent for our sandy soils and resistant to some common diseases.
- LaRouge: A red-skinned variety that does very well in the South.
- Sebago: A good white potato that is resistant to late blight.
Avoid long-season varieties like Russet Burbank, as they require more cool weather than we can typically provide. Always buy certified seed potatoes from a reputable source to avoid introducing diseases. Grocery store potatoes are often treated to prevent sprouting.
Step-by-Step Planting Guide
Follow these steps to get your potatoes off to a strong start.
1. Preparing Your Seed Potatoes
About a week before your planned planting date, “chit” or pre-sprout your seed potatoes. Place them in a single layer in a cool, bright room. This encourages strong, stubby sprouts and gives them a head start. Cut larger seed potatoes into pieces, ensuring each piece has at least 1-2 eyes. Let the cut pieces cure for a day or two to form a callus over the cut surface, which helps prevent rot.
2. Site and Soil Preparation
Potatoes need full sun—at least 6-8 hours daily. They prefer loose, well-draining, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.0-5.5). Florida’s sandy soil is actually a benefit here, but it needs amending.
- Work in 3-4 inches of compost or well-rotted manure to improve moisture retention and fertility.
- Incorporate a balanced, slow-release organic fertilizer according to package directions.
- Raised beds or grow bags are an excellent option for ensuring perfect drainage.
3. The Planting Process
- Dig trenches about 6 inches deep and 3 feet apart.
- Place seed potato pieces, eyes facing up, every 12 inches in the trench.
- Cover gently with 4 inches of soil.
- Water thoroughly to settle the soil around the seed pieces.
Caring for Your Growing Potatoes
Consistent care through the growing season is key. The main tasks are hilling, watering, and pest monitoring.
Hilling
When plants are about 6-8 inches tall, mound soil around the base, leaving just the top few leaves exposed. This protects developing tubers from sunlight (which turns them green and toxic) and encourages more tuber formation. Repeat this process every few weeks as plants grow.
Watering and Fertilizing
Provide about 1-2 inches of water per week. Inconsistent watering leads to misshapen tubers. Drip irrigation is ideal to keep foliage dry and prevent disease. Side-dress with a low-nitrogen fertilizer when hilling to support tuber growth without encouraging excessive leafy growth.
Common Pests and Problems
- Colorado Potato Beetle: Hand-pick adults and larvae. Look for their orange egg clusters under leaves.
- Aphids: Blast them off with a strong stream of water or use insecticidal soap.
- Early Blight: Shows as dark spots on leaves. Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering. Fungicides may be needed in wet years.
Rotate your potato crop to a different area of the garden each year to help manage soil-borne diseases.
Harvesting and Storing Your Crop
Knowing when and how to harvest ensures your potatoes store well.
Signs of Readiness
For “new” potatoes, you can gently dig around plants about 7-8 weeks after planting. For full-sized, storage potatoes, wait until the plants flower and then begin to die back. This usually happens in April or May. The skins of the potatoes will be firm and not rub off easily.
How to Harvest
- Use a digging fork carefully to loosen the soil several inches away from the plant.
- Lift the plant and gently sift through the soil with your hands to find all the tubers.
- Be careful not to bruise or puncture the potatoes during harvest.
Curing and Storage
Don’t wash potatoes right after digging. Let them cure in a dark, well-ventilated, humid place (like a garage) for 1-2 weeks. This thickens the skin for storage. After curing, store them in a cool, dark, dry place. Properly cured potatoes from a fall planting can store for several months.
FAQ: Planting Potatoes in Central Florida
Can I plant potatoes in the fall in Central Florida?
Yes, but “fall” planting here is actually very late. The ideal window begins in late December. Planting in October or November is usually too early due to warm soil.
What happens if I plant potatoes too late?
If planted after mid-February, the plants will face increasing heat as they try to form tubers. This often results in a very small harvest, as the plants will stop producing once the soil gets to hot.
Can I grow potatoes from store-bought ones?
It’s not recommended. Store-bought potatoes are often treated with sprout inhibitors and may carry diseases that can persist in your soil. Certified seed potatoes are a safer, more reliable choice.
How long does it take for potatoes to grow?
Most varieties suitable for Florida mature in 80-100 days from planting. You can harvest “new” potatoes earlier, around 60-70 days.
Do potatoes grow good in containers here?
Absolutely! Growing in large containers, fabric bags, or barrels is an excellent method. It provides perfect drainage and allows you to control the soil mix. Just ensure they get enough water.
By following this guide and sticking to the late winter planting window, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying homegrown potatoes. The fresh flavor of a potato you’ve grown yourself is a real treat, and with a little planning, it’s an achievable goal for any Central Florida gardener. Remember, success starts with getting your timing right and choosing varieties that can handle our unique climate.