If you’re planning your garden in the Magnolia State, knowing when to plant potatoes in Mississippi is the first step to a great harvest. Getting the timing right is crucial for a successful crop, as our unique climate offers a long growing season with some specific challenges.
This guide will walk you through the optimal windows for planting, the best varieties for our region, and simple steps to ensure your spuds thrive. Let’s get your potato patch started.
When To Plant Potatoes In Mississippi
Mississippi’s planting schedule is primarily dictated by its USDA Hardiness Zones, which range from 7b to 9a. This means we have relatively mild winters and hot, humid summers. Potatoes are a cool-season crop, so we need to plant them early enough to mature before the intense summer heat arrives.
Primary Planting Windows
The ideal time to plant potatoes in Mississippi is in late winter to early spring. For most of the state, the target period is from mid-January through mid-March. You can use Valentine’s Day as a good traditional marker to aim for.
- North Mississippi (Zones 7b-8a): Plant from late February to late March. Wait until the worst of the frosts have passed and soil is workable.
- Central Mississippi (Zones 8a-8b): Plant from mid-February to mid-March. This is the most common and reliable window.
- South Mississippi & Coastal Areas (Zones 8b-9a): You can start as early as late January and continue through early March. The warmer winters allow for an earlier start.
Fall Planting for a Second Crop
A unique advantage in Mississippi is the potential for a fall potato crop. This is especially rewarding in central and northern parts of the state. For a fall harvest, plant your potatoes about 110-120 days before your first expected fall frost. This usually means planting in late July to early August.
Fall planting can be trickier due to summer heat stress at planting time. It requires careful attention to watering and soil temperature. Using shade cloth at the initial stage can help young plants establish.
Soil Temperature is Your Secret Guide
More important than the calendar date is your soil’s condition. Potatoes should go in the ground when the soil temperature at planting depth (about 4 inches) consistently reaches at least 45°F. A simple soil thermometer is a gardener’s best friend here.
If the soil is too cold and wet, seed pieces are likely to rot instead of sprout. If you plant to late and the soil is already hot, growth can be stunted.
Choosing the Right Potato Varieties for Mississippi
Selecting varieties suited to our climate and your taste preferences is key. Look for types with good disease resistance, especially to common issues like early blight.
Recommended Varieties
- Yukon Gold: A reliable all-purpose potato with great flavor and good storability. It matures in about 90 days.
- Red Pontiac: Thrives in warmer soils and is a consistent performer here. Excellent for boiling and salads.
- Kennebec: A high-yielding, disease-resistant variety perfect for baking and frying. It’s a favorite of many Southern gardeners.
- LaRouge (Red LaSoda): Specifically bred for the South. It handles our heat well and produces smooth, red-skinned tubers.
- Sweet Potatoes (Beauregard, Orleans): While not a true potato, they are a staple crop here. Plant slips after all danger of frost is gone, around April to May.
Step-by-Step Planting Guide
Follow these steps for planting success from day one.
1. Preparing Seed Potatoes
Never use potatoes from the grocery store, as they are often treated with sprout inhibitors. Buy certified disease-free seed potatoes from a garden center.
- About a week before planting, “chit” or sprout your seed potatoes. Place them in a cool, bright location to encourage short, sturdy green sprouts.
- On planting day, cut larger seed potatoes into pieces, ensuring each piece has at least 1-2 eyes (sprout buds). Let the cut pieces air-dry for a day to form a callus, which prevents rot.
2. Site and Soil Preparation
Potatoes need full sun—at least 6-8 hours daily. The soil should be loose, well-draining, and slightly acidic (pH 5.0 to 6.5).
- Loosen the soil to a depth of 10-12 inches. Remove any rocks or debris that could hinder tuber growth.
- Mix in a generous amount of compost or well-rotted manure. Avoid fresh manure or excessive nitrogen, which leads to lush leaves but small potatoes.
- Consider planting in raised beds or hills if you have heavy clay soil, which is common in parts of Mississippi. This improves drainage significantly.
3. The Planting Process
- Dig trenches about 4 inches deep and space them 2-3 feet apart.
- Place seed pieces cut-side down, with eyes facing up, every 12 inches within the row.
- Cover gently with 3-4 inches of soil. As the plants grow to about 6 inches tall, you’ll “hill” soil around the stems to protect developing tubers from sunlight.
Caring for Your Growing Potatoes
Consistent care through the season protects your yield.
Watering and Hilling
Potatoes need about 1-2 inches of water per week, especially during tuber formation. Water deeply at the base of plants, avoiding wetting the foliage to reduce disease risk. Inconsistent watering can lead to misshapen tubers or hollow heart.
Hilling is crucial. When plants are 6-8 inches tall, mound soil, straw, or compost around the stems, leaving just the top few leaves exposed. Repeat this process every few weeks. This prevents sunlight from reaching the tubers, which turns them green and toxic.
Fertilizing and Pest Management
Use a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer at planting. A side-dressing of a potassium-rich fertilizer (like potash) when tubers start to form can boost size. Watch out for common pests like Colorado potato beetles and aphids. Hand-pick beetles and use a strong spray of water for aphids. Crop rotation is vital—don’t plant potatoes in the same spot more than once every three years to prevent soil-borne diseases.
Harvesting and Storing Your Bounty
Harvest time depends on the variety and when you planted.
Signs of Readiness
For “new” or baby potatoes, you can gently dig around plants about 7-8 weeks after planting. For mature, storage potatoes, wait until the plant vines have completely yellowed and died back. This is usually 90-120 days after planting.
How to Harvest
Use a digging fork on a dry day, inserting it well away from the main stem to avoid spearing tubers. Gently lift the soil and sift through with your hands to find all the potatoes. Let them cure in a dark, well-ventilated place for 1-2 weeks to toughen the skin for storage. After curing, store them in a cool (40-50°F), humid, and completely dark location. Properly cured and stored potatoes can last for several months.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I plant potatoes from the store in Mississippi?
It’s not recommended. Store-bought potatoes are often treated to prevent sprouting and may carry diseases that can persist in your soil. Always use certified seed potatoes for the best results and to protect your garden’s health.
What is the latest you can plant potatoes in Mississippi?
For a spring crop, planting after early April is risky, as the developing tubers will hit the peak summer heat, leading to poor yields. For a fall crop, aim to get seed in the ground by early August at the latest in central and north MS.
How often should you water potatoes in MS heat?
During hot, dry spells, you may need to water deeply two to three times a week to maintain consistent soil moisture. Mulching heavily with straw or leaves can help retain moisture and keep soil temperatures cooler, which potatoes appreciate.
Why are my potato plants flowering?
Flowering is a normal part of the potato plant’s lifecycle and doesn’t directly affect tuber development. Some varieties flower profusely, while others hardly at all. It’s not a sign that the potatoes are ready to harvest; still rely on the days-to-maturity guideline and vine die-back.
Can I grow potatoes in containers in Mississippi?
Absolutely. Growing in large containers, fabric bags, or barrels is an excellent option, especially if you have limited space or poor soil. It gives you control over the soil mix and makes harvesting simple. Just ensure containers have excellent drainage and are placed in full sun.
With the right timing and care, growing potatoes in Mississippi can be a highly rewarding endevor. By following this guide and adjusting to your specific local conditions, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a homegrown harvest of delicious, hearty potatoes straight from your own backyard garden.