When Do You Plant Potatoes In California

If you’re a California gardener, you might wonder when do you plant potatoes in California. The answer is fantastic: you can often plant them twice a year! Our diverse climates mean timing is everything for a great harvest.

Potatoes are a rewarding crop that thrive in our state’s varied growing zones. Getting the schedule right is your first step to success. Let’s break down the best times for your specific area.

California’s planting windows are primarily driven by temperature, not the last spring frost date like in colder states. Potatoes need cool, but not freezing, conditions to grow.

They tubersize best when soil temperatures are between 60°F and 70°F. Hot soil stops tuber growth. This gives us two main planting seasons in most regions.

California’s Climate Zones and Potato Planting

Our state has three major climate patterns relevant to potato growers. Your location dictates your prime planting dates.

Coastal and Central Valley Regions

This includes areas like the San Francisco Bay, Sacramento, and Fresno. You have a long, mild growing season.

Early Spring Planting: Plant from late January through March. The goal is to harvest before the peak summer heat.
Late Summer/Fall Planting: Plant again from late July through early September. This crop grows through the fall and into winter.

Southern California and Low-Desert Areas

This covers Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Imperial Valley. Winters are very mild, but summers are hot.

Your main planting time is in late winter, from January to early February.
A fall planting is also possible in September or early October, but it can be tricky with lingering heat.

Northern California and Mountain Regions

Think of places like Redding, Mount Shasta, or the Sierra foothills. You have a shorter season with a real winter.

Your single best planting window is in mid to late spring, after the ground has thawed and warmed a bit. Aim for April through May.

Step-by-Step: How to Plant Your Potatoes

Once you’ve got your date, follow these steps for a healthy crop.

Choose Your Seed Potatoes: Always use certified disease-free seed potatoes from a garden center, not grocery store spuds. Good varieties for California include ‘Yukon Gold’, ‘Red Norland’, and ‘Russet’.
Pre-sprout (Chit) Your Potatoes: Place seed potatoes in a cool, bright spot for 2-4 weeks before planting. This encourages strong sprouts and gives you a head start.
Prepare the Soil: Potatoes need loose, well-draining soil. Work in 3-4 inches of compost. They prefer slightly acidic soil (pH 5.0-6.5). Avoid fresh manure, which can cause scab.
Plant Correctly: Plant whole small seed potatoes or pieces (with 2-3 eyes each) about 4 inches deep. Space them 12 inches apart in rows spaced 3 feet apart. Ensure the eyes or sprouts are facing up.
Water and Hill: Water deeply after planting. Once plants are 6-8 inches tall, “hill” them by mounding soil around the stems. This protects developing tubers from sunlight, which turns them green and toxic.

Essential Care Tips for a Bumper Crop

Consistent care is simple but makes a huge difference in your yield.

Watering: Provide 1-2 inches of water per week. Keep soil consistently moist but never soggy. Inconsistent watering leads to knobby or hollow potatoes. Drip irrigation is ideal.
Fertilizing: Use a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer at planting. To much nitrogen encourages leafy growth instead of tubers. A side dressing of potash when hilling can help tuber development.
Pest and Disease Watch: Common issues include potato beetles, aphids, and blight. Rotate your potato bed each year to prevent soil-borne diseases. Check leaves regularly and remove pests by hand or use organic controls like neem oil.

Harvesting and Storing Your Potatoes

Knowing when and how to harvest ensures your spuds store well.

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.

Use a garden fork to carefully loosen the soil and retreive your potatoes. Let them cure on dry ground for 2-3 hours, then move them to a dark, well-ventilated place for 1-2 weeks to toughen the skin. Store cured potatoes in a cool, dark, and humid place—never in the refrigerator.

Common Problems and Simple Solutions

Even experianced gardeners face a few issues. Here’s how to handle them.

Green Potatoes: Caused by tubers being exposed to light. Always hill properly and store in complete darkness. Green parts are toxic and must be cut off.
Scabby Patches on Skin: This is potato scab, often from soil that’s too alkaline or contains fresh manure. Maintain slightly acidic soil and rotate crops.
Small Harvest: Usually due to planting too late into warm weather, inconsistent watering, or using to much nitrogen fertilizer. Stick to the planting windows and care tips above.

FAQ: Your California Potato Questions Answered

Can I plant potatoes from the supermarket?
It’s not recommended. Grocery potatoes are often treated with sprout inhibitors and may carry disease. Certified seed potatoes are a safer, more reliable investment for your garden.

What is the best month to plant potatoes in Southern California?
For most of Southern California, January is the ideal month to plant your main crop. You can also try a fall crop starting in September if you provide ample water.

How long does it take to grow potatoes?
Most varieties take between 70 to 120 days from planting to full maturity. New potatoes can be harvested earlier, around 50-60 days.

Can I grow potatoes in a container?
Absolutely! Use a large pot or grow bag at least 15 gallons in size. Ensure it has excellent drainage. The process is the same, and hilling is easy—just add more soil mix as the plants grow.

Do potatoes need full sun?
Yes, they perform best with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. In very hot inland areas, some afternoon shade can be beneficial to keep soil temperatures down.

By following these regional timings and tips, you’ll be well on your way to harvesting your own homegrown potatoes. The key is to work with California’s unique seasons, planting when the weather is cool for the best results. Get your seed potatoes ready, mark your calander, and enjoy the process of growing this staple crop right in your own backyard.