Potato in Zone 3a & 3b
Solanum tuberosum
When to plant potato in zone 3b
Zones 3a and 3b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. Potato doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 16–May 23 |
| Estimated harvest | Aug 14–Aug 21 (~90 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1.5-2 ft.
Potatoes aren't grown from true seed in the home garden. They're grown from seed potatoes, small tubers (or cut pieces of larger ones) planted directly in a furrow, each one sending up a plant that produces a new cluster of tubers underground.
How potato fits zone 3's season
Zone 3b's frost-free window runs about 98 days, from May 30 to September 5. Potato needs about 90 days from sowing to first harvest.
Good companions
- Bush Beans: Beans fix nitrogen that heavy-feeding potatoes use.
Where to buy potato seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing potato" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 3b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Potato in USDA zone 3b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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