The Ultimate Guide to Planting Potatoes in Zone 6

Planting potatoes can be an extremely rewarding experience for any gardener. The joy of digging up the tubers months later and having a bountiful harvest is hard to beat However, to get the most out of your potato crop, it is crucial to plant them at the right time In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about when to plant potatoes in Zone 6.

Before we dive into specifics, let’s briefly go over what planting zones are. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has divided North America into 13 different growing zones based on the average annual minimum winter temperatures. Zone 1 is the coldest at -60°F to -50°F and Zone 13 is the warmest above 60°F. This allows gardeners to determine which plants are most likely to thrive in their neck of the woods.

Zone 6 covers a large portion of the country and experiences average annual minimum temperatures between -10°F and 0°F This includes areas like Portland, Oregon; St. Louis, Missouri; New York City, New York; and Richmond, Virginia The southernmost parts of Zone 6 are labeled Zone 6b, while the more northern parts are Zone 6a.

Knowing your specific zone is crucial when deciding when to plant any crop, potatoes included. The ideal planting dates can vary by several weeks between zones. So let’s take a closer look at when it’s best to plant spuds in Zone 6.

When to Plant Potatoes in Zone 6

Potatoes thrive in cool conditions and can withstand some frost and light freezes. However, an unexpected hard freeze can damage plants and developing tubers. In Zone 6, the last expected frost date ranges from mid-April to mid-May depending on how far north you are. Generally, potatoes should be planted 1-2 weeks before your area’s average last frost date.

Here are the recommended planting windows:

• Zone 6a: Early to mid April
• Zone 6b: Mid to late April

To play it safe, I usually aim to plant my potatoes in Zone 6b in mid to late March. I also mulch them with straw to provide some protection from frost. With the straw buffer, the plants can withstand temperatures as low as 25°F.

Potatoes take around 2-3 weeks to emerge after planting. Getting them in the ground in March gives the plants time to get established before weather heats up too much. It also allows tubers to size up with cooler spring temperatures.

Preparing Your Potato Bed

Now that we know when to plant potatoes in Zone 6, let’s discuss how to get your growing area ready:

• Location: Pick a spot that gets full sun – at least 6 hours per day. Avoid planting in low-lying areas prone to frost.

• Soil: Potatoes need loose, well-draining soil. Heavy clay can compact and lead to deformed tubers. Mix in compost to improve drainage.

• pH: Ideal pH is between 4.8-5.5. Have soil tested if unsure and amend accordingly.

• Fertilizing: A week before planting, mix in a balanced organic fertilizer.Fish emulsion and kelp meal work great.

• Raised beds: Building up raised beds improves drainage and makes harvest easier. Just be sure beds are at least 12 inches deep for ample room to grow.

Proper soil prep and fertilization gives your spuds the nutrients they need to thrive. Also be sure to have quality seed potatoes on hand rather than using store-bought eating potatoes. The seed potatoes are disease-free and will produce better yields.

How to Plant Potatoes in Zone 6

Once your potato bed is prepped and planting date arrives, it’s time to get those spuds in the ground. Follow these simple steps for proper planting:

• Cut seed potatoes into smaller pieces. Each should have 1-3 eyes. Let pieces cure for 1-2 days.

• Dig trenches 6 inches deep and 12-18 inches apart in rows spaced 2-3 feet apart.

• Place cut seed pieces in trenches 12 inches apart, eyes/sprouts facing up. Cover with 3-4 inches of soil.

• As plants grow, continue mounding soil up, leaving just the top leaves exposed.

• Lightly mulch mounded rows with straw to retain moisture and prevent weeds.

• Water thoroughly after planting and give 1-2 inches per week during growing season if rain is lacking.

Planting your potatoes properly gives them the foundation they need to grow abundantly. I like to add a trellis to the end of rows to have the foliage grow vertically, saving space. Now it’s time to nurture those plants and eagerly await the resultant bountiful harvest.

Growing Your Spuds

Potatoes will take 80-100 days to reach full maturity and be ready for harvest. During the growing season there are a few key things to focus on:

• Weeding: Mulch well to prevent weeds which compete for water and nutrients. Hand pull any weeds that get through.

• Watering: Ensure consistent moisture 1-2 inches per week. Irregular water leads to knobby, cracked tubers.

• Hilling: Continue mounding soil up plants as they grow. Only green leaves should be exposed.

• Pests: Watch for potato beetles, aphids, leafhoppers. Remove by hand or use natural sprays as needed.

• Diseases: Prevent blight and other fungal diseases by avoiding overhead watering on leaves. Remove damaged plants immediately.

• Harvesting: New potatoes can be dug as early as 60 days. Full mature potatoes are ready around 100 days.

With the proper care while growing, your potato plants will thrive in Zone 6’s cool conditions. Before you know it, that beautiful harvest will arrive.

Harvesting Your Crop

One of the greatest joys of growing potatoes is digging up those buried treasures. Follow these tips for harvesting potatoes:

• Stop watering 2 weeks before harvest to set skins.

• Dig carefully with a fork, taking care not to spear tubers.

• Ideally harvest when vines start dying back to prevent losing potatoes to pests.

• Harvest in sections, leaving rest of plants intact if not fully matured.

• Brush off excess dirt but do not wash (can cause rot in storage).

• Cure for 1-2 weeks in cool (60-70°F), dark location to thicken skins.

• Store cured potatoes in cool (40-50°F), humid, dark place up to 5-6 months.

Enjoy your bountiful harvest fresh or store properly to enjoy delicious potatoes all the way until next year’s crop. Nothing beats a homegrown baked potato!

Top Zone 6 Potato Varieties

While most types will grow well, some potato varieties fare better than others in Zone 6’s climate. Here are some top performers to try:

• Russet potatoes – Great baking potatoes, ideal for fries. Varieties: Burbank, Norkotah

• Red potatoes – Firm, waxy, multi-purpose potatoes. Varieties: Chieftain, Norland, Viking

• Yukon Gold – Buttery flavor, good all-purpose potato. Resistance to scab.

• Fingerling potatoes – Nutty flavor, smaller size good for roasting. Varieties: French, Russian Banana

• Blue/Purple Potatoes – Add unique color to dishes. Varieties: Adirondack Blue, Purple Majesty

Be sure to purchase certified seed potatoes of recommended varieties suited for your zone. This gives your crop the best chance of thriving.

• Plant 1-2 weeks before your area’s average last frost in mid to late March/early to mid April.

• Prepare soil, raised beds, and fertilizer 1-2 weeks before planting date.

• Use quality seed potatoes and plant properly at correct depth and spacing.

• Maintain consistent moisture and hilling while controlling pests and diseases.

• Harvest carefully when vines start dying back and cure tubers properly for storage.

Follow this advice and with a little care you’ll be rewarded with bushels of delightful homegrown potatoes. Dig in! Wishing you a bountiful harvest.