Arkansas gardeners get two planting windows: early spring for summer harvest and late summer for fall potatoes. Knowing the best time to plant potatoes in arkansas is the key to a big harvest of spuds that store well and taste great. The state’s varied climate means you need to pay attention to soil temperature and frost dates to get it right.
Potatoes are a cool-season crop, so they hate hot weather. Plant them too early, and frost can kill the sprouts. Plant them too late, and the heat will stop tuber growth. This guide walks you through the exact timing for every region of Arkansas, from the Ozarks to the Delta.
Best Time To Plant Potatoes In Arkansas
The best time to plant potatoes in arkansas splits into two main seasons. For a summer harvest, plant in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. For a fall crop, plant in late summer, about 90 to 110 days before the first expected frost in your area.
Soil temperature is the real deciding factor. Potatoes need soil at least 45°F (7°C) to start growing, but they do best when it’s between 50°F and 60°F (10°C to 15°C). If the ground is too cold or wet, the seed potatoes can rot before they sprout.
Spring Planting Window
In most of Arkansas, the spring planting window opens in mid-March and runs through early April. The exact date depends on your location and the weather that year.
- Southern Arkansas (Texarkana, El Dorado): Plant from March 1 to March 20
- Central Arkansas (Little Rock, Hot Springs): Plant from March 10 to March 30
- Northern Arkansas (Fayetteville, Mountain Home): Plant from March 20 to April 10
- Ozark high elevations: Wait until April 1 to April 15
Check your local frost dates. The last spring frost in Arkansas ranges from late March in the south to mid-April in the north. You can plant 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost, as long as the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged.
Fall Planting Window
Fall planting is less common but can give you a nice crop of potatoes for winter storage. The window is tight because you need enough time for the potatoes to mature before the first hard freeze.
- Southern Arkansas: Plant from August 1 to August 20
- Central Arkansas: Plant from July 25 to August 15
- Northern Arkansas: Plant from July 15 to August 5
For fall potatoes, choose early-maturing varieties that finish in 80 to 90 days. This gives you a buffer if the first frost comes a little early. The first fall frost in Arkansas hits from mid-October in the north to early November in the south.
Factors That Affect Planting Time
Several things can shift your planting date by a week or two. Pay attention to these factors to fine-tune your schedule.
Soil Temperature
Use a soil thermometer to check the temperature at 4 inches deep. If it’s below 45°F, wait. If it’s above 60°F, you might still be okay for spring, but the potatoes may not grow as well. For fall planting, soil temps are usually high, so you need to keep the seed potatoes cool and moist until they sprout.
Variety Selection
Different potato varieties have different maturity times. This affects when you should plant them.
- Early-season (70-80 days): Red Norland, Yukon Gold, Caribe
- Mid-season (80-95 days): Kennebec, Russet Burbank, Katahdin
- Late-season (95-110 days): German Butterball, Purple Viking, All Blue
For spring planting, you can use any variety. For fall, stick with early or mid-season types to beat the frost.
Region Within Arkansas
Arkansas has three main growing regions, each with its own microclimate.
Northern Arkansas (Zones 6a-6b): Colder winters and later springs. Plant potatoes later in spring and earlier in fall. The growing season is shorter, so choose faster-maturing varieties.
Central Arkansas (Zones 7a-7b): Moderate climate with a longer growing season. You have more flexibility with planting dates. Spring planting in mid-March is typical.
Southern Arkansas (Zones 8a-8b): Warmer winters and hot summers. Plant potatoes early in spring to avoid the heat. Fall planting can be done later, but you need to watch for early frosts.
How To Prepare For Planting
Getting the timing right is only half the battle. You also need to prepare your seed potatoes and soil for the best results.
Choosing Seed Potatoes
Always use certified seed potatoes from a garden center or online supplier. Grocery store potatoes are often treated with sprout inhibitors and can carry diseases. Seed potatoes are guaranteed to be disease-free.
- Buy seed potatoes 2 to 4 weeks before your planned planting date
- Store them in a cool, dark place (40-50°F) until you’re ready
- Look for firm, healthy tubers with no soft spots or mold
Cutting And Curing Seed Potatoes
If your seed potatoes are large (bigger than a chicken egg), cut them into pieces. Each piece should have at least two eyes. Let the cut pieces cure for 2 to 3 days before planting.
- Cut the seed potatoes into 1.5 to 2 inch chunks
- Place them in a single layer on a tray or newspaper
- Keep them in a warm (60-70°F), humid spot out of direct sun
- Wait until the cut surfaces form a dry, calloused layer
- Plant within a week of cutting
Small seed potatoes (about the size of an egg) can be planted whole. This reduces the risk of rot and gives you a stronger plant.
Soil Preparation
Potatoes grow best in loose, well-drained soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.5. Test your soil pH a few weeks before planting. If it’s too high, add sulfur to lower it. If it’s too low, add lime.
- Remove rocks, sticks, and large clumps from the planting area
- Work in 2 to 4 inches of compost or well-rotted manure
- Add a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) at a rate of 1 pound per 100 square feet
- Rake the bed smooth and level
If you have heavy clay soil, consider planting in raised beds or hills. Potatoes need good drainage to prevent rot and disease.
Step-By-Step Planting Guide
Once you’ve picked the right date and prepared everything, follow these steps to plant your potatoes.
- Dig trenches or individual holes 4 to 6 inches deep
- Space seed pieces 10 to 12 inches apart in rows
- Space rows 24 to 36 inches apart for good air flow
- Place the seed pieces with the eyes facing up
- Cover them with 2 to 3 inches of soil
- Water the bed thoroughly after planting
Don’t fill the trench all the way at first. As the plants grow, you’ll hill up soil around the stems. This encourages more tuber growth and prevents greening.
Hilling Process
Hilling is when you pull soil up around the potato stems. Do this twice during the growing season.
- First hilling: When the plants are 6 to 8 inches tall, add 3 to 4 inches of soil around the base
- Second hilling: When the plants are 12 to 15 inches tall, add another 3 to 4 inches of soil
Hilling keeps the developing tubers covered, which prevents them from turning green and toxic. It also helps control weeds and keeps the soil cool.
Caring For Your Potato Plants
After planting, your main jobs are watering, feeding, and pest control. Potatoes are fairly low-maintenance if you stay on top of these tasks.
Watering
Potatoes need consistent moisture, especially when they’re forming tubers. Give them 1 to 2 inches of water per week, either from rain or irrigation.
- Water deeply once or twice a week, not shallowly every day
- Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged
- Reduce watering when the vines start to yellow and die back
- Stop watering completely 2 weeks before harvest
Uneven watering can cause misshapen tubers or hollow heart. Use mulch to help retain moisture and keep the soil temperature stable.
Fertilizing
Potatoes are heavy feeders, but they don’t need a lot of nitrogen. Too much nitrogen gives you big vines and small tubers.
- Side-dress with a low-nitrogen fertilizer (5-10-10) when plants are 6 inches tall
- Apply another side-dressing when plants start to flower
- Use compost tea or fish emulsion as a foliar feed every 3 weeks
Avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen, like blood meal or lawn fertilizer. Stick with balanced or phosphorus-heavy formulas for better tuber development.
Pest And Disease Management
Common potato pests in Arkansas include Colorado potato beetles, aphids, and flea beetles. Diseases like early blight and scab can also be problems.
- Rotate your potato patch every year to prevent soil-borne diseases
- Use row covers to protect young plants from flea beetles
- Hand-pick Colorado potato beetles and their eggs
- Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap for aphids
- Water at the base of plants to avoid wetting the leaves
If you see signs of blight (brown spots on leaves, white mold), remove the affected leaves immediately. In severe cases, you may need to pull up the plants to stop the disease from spreading.
When To Harvest Potatoes
Knowing when to harvest is just as important as knowing when to plant. The timing depends on what type of potatoes you want.
New Potatoes
New potatoes are small, tender spuds harvested before the plant matures. You can start digging them 2 to 3 weeks after the plants flower.
- Gently dig around the base of the plant with your hands
- Take only a few potatoes from each plant
- Leave the rest to keep growing
- Eat new potatoes within a few days; they don’t store well
Full-Sized Potatoes
For storage potatoes, wait until the vines have completely died back. This usually happens 2 to 3 weeks after the plant stops flowering.
- Stop watering 2 weeks before harvest
- Cut the vines down to ground level
- Wait 10 to 14 days before digging
- Dig carefully with a garden fork to avoid cutting the tubers
The waiting period after cutting the vines allows the potato skins to thicken. This makes them last longer in storage.
Storing Your Harvest
Proper storage keeps your potatoes fresh for months. Follow these steps to maximize shelf life.
- Brush off excess soil, but don’t wash the potatoes
- Cure them in a dark, humid place at 50-60°F for 10-14 days
- Remove any damaged or diseased potatoes
- Store in a cool (40-50°F), dark, well-ventilated area
- Check regularly and remove any that start to sprout or rot
Don’t store potatoes near onions or apples. These fruits release ethylene gas, which makes potatoes sprout faster. Also, keep them out of the fridge; the cold turns the starches into sugar and ruins the flavor.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Even experienced gardeners make mistakes with potatoes. Here are the most common ones and how to avoid them.
- Planting too early in cold, wet soil: Wait until the soil is at least 45°F
- Planting too late in spring: Potatoes stop growing when soil hits 80°F
- Not hilling enough: Exposed tubers turn green and become toxic
- Overwatering: Soggy soil causes rot and disease
- Skipping crop rotation: Potatoes in the same spot year after year build up diseases
- Using grocery store potatoes: They may carry viruses or be treated with sprout inhibitors
Avoid these pitfalls, and you’ll have a much better chance of a successful harvest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Plant Potatoes In Arkansas In The Fall?
Yes, fall planting works well in Arkansas. Plant in late July to mid-August for a harvest before the first frost. Choose early-maturing varieties that finish in 80 to 90 days.
What Is The Best Potato Variety For Arkansas?
Yukon Gold, Red Norland, and Kennebec are all excellent choices for Arkansas. They adapt well to the state’s climate and produce reliable yields.
How Deep Should I Plant Potato Seeds In Arkansas?
Plant seed pieces 4 to 6 inches deep. Cover them with 2 to 3 inches of soil initially, then hill up more soil as the plants grow.
Do Potatoes Need Full Sun In Arkansas?
Yes, potatoes need at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. More sun means more energy for tuber growth.
How Long Do Potatoes Take To Grow In Arkansas?
Most potato varieties take 70 to 110 days from planting to harvest. Early varieties are ready in about 70-80 days, while late varieties take 95-110 days.
Final Tips For Success
Planting at the right time is the most important step, but it’s not the only one. Keep these final tips in mind for a great potato crop.
- Keep a garden journal with planting dates and weather notes
- Use a soil thermometer to check temps before planting
- Mulch with straw or leaves to keep the soil cool in summer
- Harvest on a dry day to reduce the risk of rot
- Store potatoes in paper bags or cardboard boxes, not plastic
With the right timing and a little care, you can enjoy fresh, homegrown potatoes from your Arkansas garden twice a year. Spring planting gives you new potatoes for summer meals, while fall planting fills your pantry for winter. Stick to the schedule, watch the weather, and you’ll be digging up a bountiful harvest before you know it.