Planting calendar
When to plant potatoes in North Carolina
North Carolina spans USDA hardiness zones 5b-8b. Average last spring frost: 04-15. This calendar gives you the indoor start, transplant, and direct-sow dates for Solanum tuberosum.
North Carolina planting dates for potatoes
| Phase | Date in North Carolina | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Direct sow outside | April 1 | 2 weeks before last frost |
Why these dates
Potatoes are cool-season but frost-sensitive. Plant seed potatoes 2-3 weeks before last frost when soil reaches 45-50F at 4 inches deep.
The dates above are anchored to North Carolina's average last spring frost date of 04-15, with offsets standard across university Extension publications. For zone-specific local timing, use the frost date lookup tool with your ZIP code.
More on growing potatoes
The full growing guide for potatoes - varieties, soil, fertilization, pests, harvest, storage - is here: Potatoes growing guide.
More North Carolina planting information
- Full North Carolina planting calendar (all crops + ornamentals)
- Find your exact USDA zone by ZIP
- Look up your average frost dates
- Seed starting timeline calculator