If you’re a gardener in Houston, figuring out when to plant potatoes is your first step to a great harvest. The mild winters and long growing season here offer a fantastic opportunity, but timing is everything to avoid the intense summer heat. This guide will walk you through the optimal planting windows and give you the local know-how you need for success.
When To Plant Potatoes In Houston
For most of the Houston area, you have two main planting seasons. The primary and most reliable season is late winter. The secondary season is in the fall, which can be a bit trickier but very rewarding.
Primary Planting: The Late Winter Window
This is your best bet for a big, healthy crop. The goal is to get your potatoes in the ground so they can grow and mature before the summer heat really kicks in.
- Optimal Dates: Plant between January 15th and February 20th.
- Why Then? The soil is beginning to warm from its winter chill, but air temperatures are still moderate. This gives the plants a long, cool period for growth.
- Target Harvest: You’ll be digging up your new potatoes in late spring, around May.
Secondary Planting: The Fall Window
A fall planting can work well if you manage the timing perfectly. You’re racing against the first frost and need the tubers to form in cooler weather.
- Optimal Dates: Aim for a planting date between August 15th and September 5th.
- The Challenge: The soil is very hot in early August. Planting too early can stress or kill the seed pieces. Waiting until late September might not give them enough time to mature.
- Target Harvest: A fall crop will be ready in late November or early December.
Why Timing is Critical in Houston
Potatoes are a cool-weather crop. Their growth slows dramatically when soil temperatures consistently exceed 80°F. Planting too late in winter means the tubers are trying to form as the soil heats up, leading to smaller potatoes. In the fall, the heat is the initial enemy, followed by the risk of a early freeze.
Choosing the Right Potato Variety
Selecting varieties that suit our climate can improve your results. Look for types with shorter “days to maturity” (DTM) for the fall crop.
- For Both Seasons: Yukon Gold (70-90 DTM), Red LaSoda (80-100 DTM), and Kennebec (80-100 DTM) are reliable performers.
- Great for Winter: Russet varieties like Russet Norkotah do well planted in January.
- Best for Fall: Fast-maturing varieties like French Fingerling or Caribe can succed before frost.
Where to Get Seed Potatoes
Always use certified “seed potatoes” from a garden center or reputable online seller. These are guaranteed disease-free. Do not use potatoes from the grocery store, as they are often treated with a sprout inhibitor and can carry diseases.
Step-by-Step Planting Guide
Follow these steps for a strong start, whether your planting in winter or fall.
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, short sprouts and can give you a head start on growth.
2. Cutting and Curing Seed Pieces
Large seed potatoes can be cut into pieces, each with at least 2-3 “eyes” or sprouts. After cutting, let the pieces cure for 1-2 days in a well-ventilated spot. This allows the cut surface to callus over, which helps prevent rot once planted.
3. Preparing the Garden Bed
Potatoes need loose, well-draining soil. Houston’s heavy clay can be a problem, so amending it is key.
- Work the soil to a depth of at least 10 inches.
- Mix in several inches of compost or aged manure to improve drainage and fertility.
- You can also plant in raised beds or large containers, which is an excellent way to control soil quality.
4. The Planting Process
- Dig a trench about 6 inches deep.
- Place seed pieces cut-side down, with the eyes facing up, spacing them about 12 inches apart.
- Cover with 4 inches of soil. Leave the trench slightly depressed to help with watering.
- Rows should be about 3 feet apart.
5. Watering and Hilling
Water deeply after planting to settle the soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy. When the plants are about 6 inches tall, “hill” them by mounding 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 potato formation. Repeat hilling every few weeks.
Common Problems and Solutions in Houston
Our humid climate brings specific challenges. Keep a watch out for these issues.
Pests to Watch For
- Colorado Potato Beetle: Hand-pick the striped adults and red larvae. Check the undersides of leaves for their orange egg clusters.
- Aphids: A strong spray of water from the hose can dislodge them. They can spread virus’s, so control is important.
Diseases in Humid Climates
- Early Blight & Late Blight: Fungal diseases that thrive in wet, humid conditions. Ensure good air circulation, water at the soil level (not overhead), and rotate your potato crop to a different bed each year.
- Root Rot: Caused by waterlogged soil. This is why well-draining soil is non-negotiable in our area.
Harvesting Your Houston-Grown Potatoes
Your harvest time depends on what type of potato you want.
- New Potatoes: For small, tender “new” potatoes, you can gently dig around the plants about 2-3 weeks after they finish flowering.
- Mature Potatoes: For full-sized, storage potatoes, wait until the plant vines have completely yellowed and died back. Use a garden fork to carefully lift the entire plant, sifting through the soil for all the tubers.
Let potatoes cure in a dark, well-ventilated place for about two weeks before storing them in a cool, dark location. This toughens their skin for longer storage.
FAQ: Planting Potatoes in Houston
Can I plant potatoes from the store in Houston?
It’s not recommended. Store-bought potatoes are often treated to prevent sprouting and may not grow well. They can also introduce soil diseases into your garden. Certified seed potatoes are a safer, more reliable choice.
What if I missed the winter planting window?
If it’s already March, it’s generally too late for a spring crop. The plants would hit tuber formation during the heat, resulting in a poor yield. Your best option is to wait and prepare for the fall planting window or try a fast-maturing variety in a large container.
How often should I water my potato plants?
Potatoes need about 1-2 inches of water per week. In Houston’s spring, rainfall might cover this, but always check the soil. It should feel moist like a wrung-out sponge, not dry or muddy. Consistent moisture is crucial when the tubers are forming.
Can I grow potatoes in containers in Houston?
Absolutely! Growing in 5-gallon buckets or large fabric pots is a great solution for Houston gardens. It gives you complete control over the soil and drainage. Just ensure the container has drainage holes and is deep enough for hilling (at least 18-24 inches deep).
Why did my potato plants flower but produce no potatoes?
Flowering is a normal stage of growth and doesn’t directly relate to tuber formation. A lack of potatoes is usually caused by planting too late (exposed to heat), insufficient water during tuber development, or soil that is too compacted or nutrient-poor. Ensure your are following the optimal planting dates and hilling properly.