When Do You Plant Potatoes In Arkansas

If you’re planning a garden in the Natural State, knowing when do you plant potatoes in Arkansas is your first step to a great harvest. Getting the timing right is the most important factor for success, as potatoes need cool weather to grow their best.

Planting too early risks a late frost damaging your sprouts, while planting too late exposes the plants to our intense summer heat too soon. This guide will walk you through the best planting times for your area and how to get your spuds off to a perfect start.

The ideal planting window for potatoes in Arkansas is from mid-February through mid-March. This timeframe gives the plants time to mature before the summer heat arrives.

However, Arkansas has three distinct USDA growing zones, so your specific dates will vary. Here’s a quick breakdown:

North Arkansas (Zones 6b-7a): Aim for late February to late March. The soil needs to be workable and no longer frozen.
Central Arkansas (Zone 7b): This is the prime potato belt. Target mid-February to early March for planting.
South Arkansas (Zone 8a): You can start earliest here, from early February to mid-March. Keep a eye on the weather for any late cold snaps.

A trusted old-time rule is to plant your potatoes when the first dandelions bloom in your yard. Another good sign is when soil temperatures reach a consistent 45°F (7°C). You can check this with a simple soil thermometer.

Choosing the Right Potato Varieties for Arkansas

Selecting varieties that suit our climate and your taste will make a big difference. Potatoes are catagorized by how long they take to mature: early, mid-season, and late.

For Arkansas, early and mid-season varieties are often best. They mature faster, allowing you to harvest before the peak summer stress.

Early Season (70-90 days): ‘Red Norland’ (red skin), ‘Yukon Gold’ (yellow flesh), ‘Irish Cobbler’. These are great for an early summer harvest.
Mid-Season (90-110 days): ‘Kennebec’ (white, disease resistant), ‘Pontiac’ (red skin), ‘Gold Rush’ (good for baking). These are reliable workhorses for Arkansas gardens.
Late Season (110-135 days): ‘Russet Burbank’ (baking), ‘German Butterball’. These need a longer, cooler growing period, which can be a challenge in our southern summers.

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 are often treated to prevent sprouting and can carry disease.

How to Prepare Your Garden Bed

Potatoes need loose, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. They grow best in a slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.0.

Choose a Sunny Spot: Select a location that gets at least 6-8 hours of full sun daily.
Loosen the Soil: Dig or till the soil to a depth of 12 inches. Break up any large clumps.
Amend the Soil: Mix in 3-4 inches of compost or well-rotted manure. This improves drainage and fertility. Avoid fresh manure, as it can promote scab disease.
Consider Raised Beds or Hills: If you have heavy clay soil, planting in raised beds or mounded rows helps with drainage and warms the soil faster in spring.

Pre-Sprouting Your Seed Potatoes

Pre-sprouting, or “chitting,” gives your potatoes a 2-3 week head start. About a month before your planting date, place your seed potatoes in a cool, bright room (not direct sun) with the eyes facing up. Short, sturdy green sprouts will form. This step is optional but highly recommended.

The Step-by-Step Planting Process

Once your seed potatoes have sprouts about 1-inch long, your ready to plant. Follow these steps:

Cut and Cure (if needed): Larger seed potatoes can be cut into pieces, each with at least 1-2 eyes. Let them cure for 1-2 days so the cut surface calluses over.
Dig Trenches: Dig straight trenches about 6 inches deep and 3 feet apart.
Plant the Pieces: Place the seed pieces cut-side down, 10-12 inches apart in the trench.
Cover and Water: Cover with 4 inches of soil. Water the trench thoroughly to settle the soil around the seed pieces.

Caring for Your Growing Potato Plants

Consistent care after planting is simple but crucial.

Hilling: When plants are 6-8 inches tall, mound soil around the base, leaving just the top few leaves exposed. Repeat this every few weeks. Hilling protects tubers from sun exposure (which turns them green and toxic) and encourages more potato formation.
Watering: Provide 1-2 inches of water per week. Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Inconsistent watering leads to misshapen tubers.
Fertilizing: Use a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer at planting. Too much nitrogen encourages leafy growth instead of potatoes. A side dressing of compost when hilling is often enough.
Pest Watch: Keep an eye out for Colorado potato beetles. Hand-pick them and their orange egg clusters off leaves. Crop rotation each year is the best prevention for pests and diseases.

Harvesting and Storing Your Bounty

You can harvest “new” potatoes about 2-3 weeks after the plants finish flowering. For mature potatoes, wait until the plant vines have turned yellow and died back completely.

Use a digging fork to carefully loosen the soil beside the plant and lift the potatoes. Be gentle to avoid bruising them. Let the potatoes cure on the soil surface for 2-3 hours, out of direct sunlight.

For storage, brush off excess dirt (don’t wash them) and cure them in a dark, well-ventilated place at 45-60°F for about two weeks. After that, store them in a cool, dark, and humid location. Properly cured potatoes can last for several months.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I plant potatoes in the fall in Arkansas?

In southern Arkansas (Zone 8a), you can attempt a fall crop by planting in early August for a late fall harvest. However, it can be tricky due to high soil temperatures at planting time. Spring planting is more reliable for most gardeners.

What is the latest you can plant potatoes?

For a spring crop, planting after early April in central and north Arkansas is risky. The plants will likely hit the maturing stage during the hottest part of summer, which can reduce yeild and quality.

How do I protect potatoes from a late frost?

If sprouts emerge and a frost is forecast, cover them completely with loose straw, floating row cover, or even soil. Potatoes are more resilient than you think, and new growth will often come from protected eyes if the top is damaged.

Why are my potato leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves at the end of the season is normal as the plant matures. If it happens early, it could signal a watering issue, a nutrient deficiency, or a disease like early blight. Ensure good drainage and proper fertilization.

Following these guidelines for when do you plant potatoes in Arkansas will set you up for a succesful harvest. Remember, gardening is part science and part observation—pay attention to your local weather and your soil, and you’ll be enjoying homegrown potatoes before you know it.