In zone 5, plant seed potatoes from April 24 to May 1, one to two weeks before your last spring frost, once the soil reaches about 50 °F. Dig new potatoes about eight weeks after planting, and the main crop from about July 3.
Potato dates for your ZIP code
Planting times based on university extension guidance (UNH, Cornell, Purdue, Minnesota, Nebraska and UMass Extension). Frost dates from NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest weather station. Zones derived from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map data (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). This is not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Potato timing in zone 5
| Task | When |
|---|---|
| Plant seed potatoes | April 24 – May 1 |
| First harvest | July 3 – July 30 |
| Cut seed potatoes | Two days before planting, so the cuts can heal |
| Hill the plants | When they are about 1 foot tall |
| Dig new potatoes | After the plants bloom, about 8 weeks after planting |
| Dig storage potatoes | After the vines die back, before the ground freezes |
Most of zone 5 sees its last spring frost between May 2 and May 17, with a typical date of May 8. Potato shoots take one to three weeks to come up, so plants usually emerge after the frost risk has passed. The tool above uses the weather station closest to your ZIP code.
Why potatoes go in before the last frost
Potatoes are a cool-season crop. They form tubers best in cool weather, so they are planted early, a week or two before the last spring frost, once the soil reaches about 50 °F. The shoots take one to three weeks to come up, and by then the frost risk has usually passed.
Best potato varieties for zone 5
Potatoes like cool weather, so zone 5 suits them well. Plant at least two kinds: an early variety for summer eating and a mid- or late-season variety for storage.
- Red potatoes: Dark Red Norland, Norland and Red LaSoda.
- White potatoes: Kennebec and Superior.
- Yellow potatoes: Yukon Gold.
- Russets: Century Russet and Russet Norkotah.
Always plant certified seed potatoes from a garden supplier. Grocery potatoes may carry disease or be treated to stop sprouting.
How to plant potatoes
- Prepare seed pieces. Plant small potatoes whole, or cut large ones into pieces about the size of an egg (1½–2 ounces), each with at least one good eye.
- Let cut pieces heal for a couple of days before planting. The cut surface forms a skin that helps prevent rot.
- Plant about 3 inches deep and 10–12 inches apart, in rows about 3 feet apart.
- Hill as they grow. When plants are about a foot tall, mound 6–8 inches of soil along the row, or add a thick layer of mulch.
- Water evenly throughout the season.
Zone 5 potato tips
- Wait for the soil, not just the date. Plant once the soil is about 50 °F. In cold, wet soil, seed pieces rot before they sprout.
- Protect early shoots. If a frost is forecast after the plants come up, cover the shoots with a little soil or a row cover.
- Hill to protect the tubers. Potatoes exposed to sunlight turn green and bitter. Mound 6–8 inches of soil along the row when plants are about a foot tall.
- Dig storage potatoes before the ground freezes, once the vines have died back and the skins are firm.
Harvesting and storing potatoes
For new potatoes, dig gently after the plants bloom, about eight weeks after planting. For storage, wait until the vines have died back and the skins are firm: rub one with your thumb, and if the skin doesn’t scrape off, they are ready. Let the potatoes dry for a day or two out of direct sun, then store them in a cool, dark, dry place.
Potato planting dates in nearby zones
See dates for every zone on the potatoes planting guide, or build a full schedule with the planting calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Is it too late to plant potatoes in zone 5 in May?
You can still plant early in May, but choose an early variety. Late plantings have less cool weather to form tubers before your first fall frost around October 2.
How do I store potatoes over a zone 5 winter?
Let the skins dry for a day or two out of the sun, then keep them in a cool, dark, dry place. A spot at about 38–40 °F keeps them longest.
Should I cut seed potatoes before planting?
Large seed potatoes can be cut into pieces of about 1½–2 ounces, each with at least one eye. Let the cuts heal for a couple of days first. Small potatoes can be planted whole.
How deep should I plant potatoes?
About 3 inches deep. Deeper planting slows emergence and raises the risk of disease. You add soil around the plants later by hilling.
Why do potatoes turn green?
Sunlight turns the skin green and bitter. Hill soil or mulch around the plants so the tubers stay covered.
Sources. Planting dates use the median frost dates of each USDA zone, calculated from NOAA climate data for every ZIP code in the zone.