When To Plant Potatoes In Oregon

If you’re planning your garden in the Beaver State, knowing when to plant potatoes in Oregon is the key to a great harvest. The timing varies a lot across our different climate zones, but getting it right means you’ll have homegrown spuds for months.

This guide will walk you through the best dates, varieties, and methods for Oregon gardeners. Let’s get your potatoes in the ground at the perfect time.

Potatoes are a cool-season crop, and they can handle a light frost. The general rule is to plant them 2-4 weeks before your last expected spring frost date. This lets them grow in the cool, moist soil they love.

Because Oregon’s geography creates distinct regions, your planting window depends entirely on where you live.

Western Oregon (Willamette Valley, Portland, Coast)

This region has mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The last frost is typically in late March to mid-April.

Best Planting Time: Late February through early April. You can often start as soon as the soil is workable and not waterlogged.
Coastal Areas: You can plant a bit earlier, from mid-February, due to the moderating influence of the ocean.
A Second Planting: For a fall harvest, plant a fast-maturing variety in late July or early August.

Central and Eastern Oregon (High Desert)

This area has a continental climate with cold winters, hot summers, and a much shorter growing season. Frost dates are later and fall comes sooner.

Best Planting Time: Aim for mid-April through late May. Wait until the soil has warmed up a little and the danger of a hard freeze has passed.
Watch the Weather: Be prepared to cover early sprouts if a late frost is forecasted.

Southern Oregon

With the warmest climate in the state, gardeners here have a long growing season and can often plant earliest.

Best Planting Time: You can usually begin in late February or March. The Rogue Valley is particularly favorable for early planting.

A great local tip is to watch for the first dandelions to bloom. This is a natural sign that your soil temperature is reaching the ideal 45-50°F for planting potato pieces.

Choosing the Right Potato Variety for Oregon

Selecting types that match your region and your plate is important. All potatoes fall into categories based on how long they take to mature.

Early Season (70-90 days): Great for all regions, especially where summers are short. Plant first for new potatoes. Try ‘Yukon Gold’, ‘Red Norland’, or ‘Irish Cobbler’.
Mid-Season (90-110 days): The workhorses for most Oregon gardens. Includes ‘Kennebec’, ‘Viking Purple’, and ‘Yellow Finn’.
Late Season (110-135 days): Need a long, warm growing season. Best for Western and Southern Oregon. Perfect for storage. ‘Russet Burbank’ (the classic baking potato) and ‘German Butterball’ are excellent choices.

Always buy certified disease-free seed potatoes from a garden center or reputable online source. Don’t use potatoes from the grocery store, as they may be treated to prevent sprouting and can carry disease.

How to Plant Potatoes in Oregon Soil

Potatoes need loose, well-draining soil with lots of organic matter. Oregon’s heavy clay soils in the west need ammendment, while sandy eastern soils need compost to hold moisture.

Prepare the Soil: A few weeks before planting, work in 3-4 inches of compost or well-rotted manure into your bed. They prefer a slightly acidic soil pH of 5.0 to 6.5.
Chit Your Seed Potatoes: About 2-3 weeks before planting, set your seed potatoes in a cool, bright place to encourage short, sturdy sprouts. This gives them a head start.
Cut and Cure: Cut larger seed potatoes into pieces, each with at least 1-2 eyes. Let them cure for a day or two so the cut surface callouses over, preventing rot.
Planting Method:
- Dig a trench 6-8 inches deep.
- Place seed pieces cut-side down, 12 inches apart, with the eyes facing up.
- Space rows 2-3 feet apart.
- Cover with 4 inches of soil.
Hilling: As plants grow to about 6 inches tall, gently mound soil around the stems, leaving a few inches of leaves exposed. Repeat this every few weeks. Hilling is crucial—it protects tubers from sunlight (which turns them green and toxic) and encourages more potatoes to form.

Container Planting

If you have heavy clay soil or limited space, growing in containers works wonderfully. Use a large pot, grow bag, or even a barrel.

Add 6 inches of soil, place seed pieces, and cover. As the plant grows, continue to add soil until the container is full.
Containers dry out faster, so be vigilant about watering.

Caring for Your Potato Plants

Consistent care through the season ensures a healthy crop.

Watering: Provide 1-2 inches of water per week, keeping soil consistently moist but not soggy. Even watering is especially critical when the plants are flowering, as that’s when tubers are bulking up. Reduce water as plants yellow and die back near harvest.
Fertilizing: Mix a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil at planting. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers later on, as they encourage leaves instead of potatoes.
Weeding: Weed carefully, especially early on, to avoid competing for nutrients. Hilling helps smother weeds.
Pest & Disease Watch: In Western Oregon’s damp springs, watch for late blight. Rotate your potato bed each year. Colorado potato beetles can be hand-picked. Use row covers to protect from pests if needed.

Harvesting and Storing Your Oregon Potatoes

Harvest time depends on the type of potato you want.

New Potatoes: For tender, small potatoes, you can gently dig around the plants about 2-3 weeks after they stop flowering.
Mature Potatoes for Storage: Wait until the plant vines have completely yellowed and died back. Stop watering. Let the potatoes cure in the ground for 10-14 days to toughen their skins.

Choose a dry day to dig. Use a garden fork, starting far from the plant to avoid spearing tubers. Brush off soil, but don’t wash them until you’re ready to use them.

For storage, keep potatoes in a dark, well-ventilated place with high humidity and a temperature of 35-40°F. A basement or root cellar is ideal. Properly cured and stored late-season varieties can last many months.

Common Problems and Solutions for Oregon Gardeners

Green Potatoes: Caused by exposure to light. Always hill properly and store in complete darkness. Cut away any green parts before cooking.
Scabby Patches: Caused by soil-borne bacteria. Maintain a slightly acidic soil pH and practice crop rotation. Choose scab-resistant varieties like ‘Yukon Gold’.
Hollow Heart: A hollow center in the tuber is caused by uneven watering or a sudden growth spurt. Maintain consistent soil moisture throughout the season.

FAQ: Oregon Potato Planting

Can I plant potatoes in the fall in Oregon?

In mild winter areas of Western and Southern Oregon, you can plant in late summer (early August) for a late fall or early winter harvest. Use early-season varieties and be prepared to protect plants from early frosts with row covers.

What is the best potato to grow in Oregon?

There’s no single “best” potato, as it depends on your region and taste. ‘Yukon Gold’ is a reliable, versatile mid-season choice for most of the state. ‘Kennebec’ is another excellent all-around, disease-resistant variety.

How late is too late to plant potatoes in Oregon?

For a main summer crop, planting after late June in the Willamette Valley or after mid-June in Eastern Oregon is risky. The plants won’t have enough time to mature before fall frosts or hot weather. For a fall crop, plant by early August in western regions.

Can I use store-bought potatoes to plant?

It’s not recommended. Grocery store potatoes are often treated with a sprout inhibitor and can carry diseases like late blight, which you could introduce to your garden soil. Investing in certified seed potatoes is safer and gives better results.

Growing potatoes in Oregon is a rewarding tradition. By matching your planting time to your local climate, choosing suitable varieties, and providing simple care, you’ll be rewarded with a delicious, homegrown staple crop. Get your seed potatoes ordered, mark your calendar, and get ready to enjoy the simple pleasure of digging up your own buried treasure this season.