Planting calendar
When to plant potatoes in North Dakota
North Dakota spans USDA hardiness zones 3a-4b. Average last spring frost: 05-25. This calendar gives you the indoor start, transplant, and direct-sow dates for Solanum tuberosum.
North Dakota planting dates for potatoes
| Phase | Date in North Dakota | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Direct sow outside | May 11 | 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 Dakota's average last spring frost date of 05-25, 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 Dakota planting information
- Full North Dakota planting calendar (all crops + ornamentals)
- Find your exact USDA zone by ZIP
- Look up your average frost dates
- Seed starting timeline calculator