Potatoes are a rewarding garden crop in Georgia, but their success depends entirely on proper timing due to the state’s diverse and often unpredictable climate. Planting at the right moment ensures the cool-season crop avoids both late spring frosts and the growth-stalling heat of summer. Understanding the regional variation in Georgia’s weather is the first step toward a bountiful harvest. Getting the timing right allows the tubers to develop fully before the soil temperature becomes too high.
Optimal Planting Timelines in Georgia
The primary potato-growing season is in the spring, with planting windows opening significantly earlier in the south. Gardeners in Coastal and South Georgia can often begin planting as early as mid-February, extending through the beginning of March. This early start allows the crop to mature before the intense summer heat sets in.
Central Georgia, including the Piedmont region, should plan for a planting window between early to mid-March. This timing balances the risk of a late frost with the need for the potato’s 90 to 120-day growth cycle to conclude before July. In North Georgia, where the last frost date is significantly later, planting should be delayed until mid-March or early April.
The most reliable indicator for all regions is not the calendar, but the soil temperature, which should consistently be at least 45°F for planting to begin. Potatoes germinate and emerge best once the soil temperature is closer to 50°F. A secondary, smaller fall crop can be attempted by planting in late July to mid-August, aiming for a harvest before the first hard frost of autumn.
Preparing Seed Potatoes and Soil
Before planting, certified seed potatoes should be cut into “seed pieces” roughly egg-sized. Each piece must contain at least one, but preferably two, healthy “eyes” or sprouts to ensure viable plant growth. Pieces smaller than one and a half ounces may not contain enough energy to support initial growth.
Once cut, the seed pieces require curing to prevent rot. Curing involves allowing the cut surfaces to dry and form a protective, leathery callous over two to four days. This process is best achieved in a warm environment, ideally between 55°F and 60°F, with high humidity.
Potatoes thrive in loose, well-draining soil that allows for easy tuber expansion. Garden soil should be worked deeply before planting, incorporating organic matter to improve aeration. Potatoes prefer a slightly acidic soil pH, ideally between 4.8 and 5.4, which helps to suppress the common potato disease known as scab.
Planting Methods and Ongoing Care
Seed pieces should be planted four to five inches deep in the prepared soil, with the eyes facing upward. Optimal spacing is seven to ten inches between pieces, in rows spaced 30 to 36 inches apart to allow room for maintenance.
“Hilling” or “earthing up” involves mounding soil around the base of the growing plants. This process should begin when the plants reach six to eight inches tall and be repeated as the foliage grows. Hilling protects the developing tubers from sunlight exposure.
Sunlight causes potatoes to produce chlorophyll and a mildly toxic compound called solanine, which gives the skin a green color. Hilling ensures the new tubers remain fully buried and protected from light. Water management is also important, as potatoes need consistent moisture during the six to eight weeks of tuber development, but they should never sit in soggy soil.
Harvesting and Curing
The time for harvesting is signaled by the potato plant’s natural life cycle, usually 90 to 120 days after planting. For a taste of “new potatoes,” which are small and thin-skinned, you can carefully dig around the plants once they begin to flower. These are meant for immediate consumption and do not store well.
For full-sized, storage-ready potatoes, wait until the foliage naturally yellows and begins to die back completely. This indicates the tubers are mature. Digging should be done carefully, ideally on a dry day, two to three weeks after the tops have died down to avoid damaging the skin.
After harvest, the potatoes require a final curing period to prepare them for long-term storage. This involves keeping the potatoes in a dark, well-ventilated area, such as a basement or garage, at moderate temperatures for about one to two weeks. Curing toughens the skin, which minimizes bruising and prevents moisture loss and disease during storage.