When To Plant Potatoes In Ct

If you’re planning your garden in Connecticut, knowing when to plant potatoes is the first step to a great harvest. Getting the timing right makes all the difference for a healthy crop, and it depends on a few key factors in our New England climate.

Potatoes are a cool-weather crop, and they can handle a light frost. The most important signal is soil temperature. You should aim to plant your seed potatoes when the soil is consistently around 45°F (7°C) and is workable—not frozen or soggy wet. In Connecticut, this window typically opens in early to mid-April. A good old-fashioned rule of thumb is to plant around the time of the last expected spring frost. For most of CT, the average last frost date falls between late April and mid-May, so planting a few weeks before that is perfect.

This target planting period can shift a bit depending on exactly where you are in the state. Connecticut’s climate zones range from 5b to 7a, which means coastal areas warm up a little sooner than the northwestern hills.

Regional Timing Across Connecticut

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

Coastal Areas (New London, New Haven counties): You can often start as early as the first week of April. The moderating influence of the Long Island Sound means slightly warmer soils earlier in the spring.
Central & River Valleys (Hartford, Middlesex counties): Aim for mid-April. Watch the weather and soil conditions closly.
Northwestern Hills (Litchfield County): It’s best to wait until late April or even early May. Frost lingers longer here, so patience pays off.

How to Prepare Seed Potatoes

Don’t just plant whole potatoes from the grocery store! You need certified disease-free seed potatoes from a garden center. About 2-3 weeks before your planting date, you should “chit” or sprout them. This gives them a head start.

Place your seed potatoes in a single layer in a cool, bright spot (like an east-facing windowsill).
The eyes will develop short, sturdy green sprouts. This process is called chitting.
If you have large seed potatoes, you can cut them into pieces a day or two before planting. Each piece should be about the size of a golf ball and have at least 1-2 strong sprouts.
Let the cut pieces dry to form a callus over the cut surface; this helps prevent rot in the ground.

Choosing the Right Potato Varieties

Selecting varieties suited to our season improves your success. Potatoes are catagorized by how long they take to mature.

Early Season (70-90 days): ‘Yukon Gold’, ‘Red Norland’, ‘Irish Cobbler’. Great for an early summer harvest.
Mid-Season (90-110 days): ‘Kennebec’, ‘Viking Purple’, ‘All Blue’. These are reliable workhorses for a main crop.
Late Season (110-135 days): ‘Russet Burbank’, ‘German Butterball’. Need a long, cool growing season, best for northern CT.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

Site & Soil: Pick a spot with full sun (at least 6 hours). Potatoes need loose, well-draining soil with lots of organic matter. If your soil is heavy clay, consider using raised beds.
Planting Method: Dig a trench about 6-8 inches deep. Place seed potato pieces with the sprouts facing up, spacing them about 12 inches apart. Rows should be 2-3 feet apart.
Cover & Water: Cover the potatoes with 4 inches of soil. Water them in well to settle the soil, but don’t soak it.

Caring for Your Growing Potatoes

The unique practice with potatoes is hilling. As the plants grow to about 6-8 inches tall, gently mound soil from around the plant up around the stems, leaving just the top few leaves exposed. This protects the developing tubers from sunlight (which turns them green and toxic) and encourages more potatoes to form. Repeat hilling every few weeks.

Keep the soil consistently moist, especialy when the plants are flowering, as that’s when tubers are bulking up. A layer of straw mulch can help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

When to Harvest Your Connecticut Potatoes

You can start harvesting “new” potatoes about 2-3 weeks after the plants finish flowering. For your main crop for storage, wait until the plant vines have completely died back and turned brown. Use a garden fork to carefully dig up your bounty on a dry day.

Common Problems and Solutions

Colorado Potato Beetles: Hand-pick the orange larvae and adults off plants. Row covers can prevent them.
Late Blight: This fungal disease thrives in wet weather. Ensure good air circulation and rotate your potato bed each year—don’t plant them in the same spot for at least 3 years.
Scab: Causes rough patches on tubers. It’s worse in alkaline soil. Maintain a slightly acidic soil pH (around 5.5-6.0) and use resistant varieties like ‘Russet Burbank’.

FAQ: Planting Potatoes in Connecticut

Can I plant potatoes in the fall in CT?
No, potatoes are a spring-planted crop in our climate. They won’t survive the winter freeze.

What if I miss the spring planting window?
You can try planting an early-season variety in very late summer (early August) for a fall harvest, but it’s riskier due to heat and pests. Spring planting is much more reliable.

How do I know my soil temperature?
Use a soil thermometer! Insert it 4 inches deep in the morning for an accurate reading. It’s the best tool you have for perfect timing.

Can I use store-bought potatoes to plant?
It’s not recommended. They are often treated with sprout inhibitors and can carry diseases that will stay in your garden soil for years. Certified seed potatoes are a safer investment.

What are the best storing potatoes?
Mid to late-season varieties like Kennebec and Russets store the longest. Cure them in a dark, humid place for 10-14 days after digging, then store in a cool, dark cellar or garage that won’t freeze.

By following these guidelines and paying attention to your local conditions, you’ll be well on your way to harvesting a fantastic crop of homegrown potatoes. The taste of a freshly dug potato, boiled or roasted, is truly worth the effort. Just remember to keep an eye on the weather and your soil tempature, and you’ll set your spuds up for success.