When to plant potatoes in California
California spans USDA hardiness zones 5a-11. Average last spring frost: varies by region. This calendar gives you the indoor start, transplant, and direct-sow dates for Solanum tuberosum.
California planting dates for potatoes
Dates for California vary significantly by region. Use the average frost date lookup for your specific ZIP code, then apply the standard offsets: direct sow 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 California's average last spring frost date (which varies by region within the state), 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 California planting information
- Full California planting calendar (all crops + ornamentals)
- Find your exact USDA zone by ZIP
- Look up your average frost dates
- Seed starting timeline calculator