Potato plants, in general, need two things in order to thrive: soil temperatures of 45 degrees F or higher, and the correct number of days for a good harvest.
The best time to plant potatoes is in February, or early spring in your area, once the ground is warm enough and when all risk of frost has passed. You might be wondering, ‘can I plant potatoes in July?’ and ‘when is it too late to plant potatoes?’
How Late Can You Plant Potatoes?
You can still probably plant potatoes in July- the earlier in the month, the better. The latest will be the end of the first week, and this will also depend on several factors, including the USDA zone where you live, predicted frost dates, and the variety of your potato.
Those who live in a region that has a mild climate will have the best chance of growing potatoes in July. It’s recommended that you choose a late-season variety to coincide with the timing.
Those living in warmer regions should be able to grow potatoes in July provided that you choose an early-season variety for the best chance of success.
Frost date can also indicate whether or not you can still plant potatoes this year. You’ll want to check the first frost date and last frost date and avoid them since the cold temperature can kill your potatoes.
Although potatoes are cool-season plants they will likely get injured if an unexpected light or hard frost arrives. The good news is that you can protect your plants from frost by mulching, putting up row covers, or growing them inside a greenhouse.
It’s worth noting that potato plants don’t like too much heat either. If you plant your potatoes too late, they might suffer from heat stress and won’t produce an abundant yield.
Can You Grow Potatoes All Year Round?
Potatoes are quite sensitive to extreme temperatures, which makes them ideal crops in places that experience mild climates.
Potatoes can be planted in fall, grown, and harvested in spring. However, the norm is that potatoes are planted in early spring once the risk of frost has passed and when the ground warms up to at least 45 degrees F (or 7 degrees C).
Once you get the plant going and give it what it needs then you can look forward to a bountiful harvest anytime between 60 to 110 days (depending on the potato variety.
Can You Plant a Second Crop of Potatoes in July?
You might be able to plant potatoes a second time in July as long as you don’t exceed the first week. Also, you’ll need to choose the right potato variety depending on where you live and how many days of the growing season you have left.
Potatoes are best planted in loamy, well-drained soil that has plenty of organic matter. You can observe a depth of somewhere between 4 to 6 inches and a width of 14 inches. Seed potatoes can be planted straight to the ground, in a raised bed, in a greenhouse, or even in a bag.
When frost occurs, it’s best to cover your potatoes with a garden cover or a makeshift DIY cover with a burlap sack or an old bedsheet. Uncover once the frost has passed and during the day to allow the plants to breathe and take in sunlight.
Related article: Will Frost Kill Potatoes?