Which month is best to plant potatoes?

The ideal temperature for potato growth is between 15°C and 25°C. If there is a cold snap in spring, potatoes may suffer frost damage, resulting in a failed harvest. In some areas of China, such as Shandong, Hebei, Henan, Shaanxi and Shanxi, potatoes can be grown twice a year. Spring sowing is usually scheduled from late February to early March, while autumn sowing is carried out in August. This timing helps the potatoes grow in suitable temperature conditions, resulting in a good harvest. Let’s learn in detail which month is the most suitable for planting potatoes?

Which month is best to plant potatoes?

Here are some common potato planting times:

Northeast and Northwest regions (such as Gansu and Qinghai): Mid-to-late April to early May in spring is the best time to plant potatoes.

Central and southern regions (such as Jiangsu and Zhejiang): Planting can be carried out from January to February.

Southern regions (such as Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Yunnan, and Guizhou): Mid-to-late October to November is the suitable time for sowing.

Northern and Northwestern Regions: Planting generally begins in late April to early May and is harvested in September or October.

Two-season cropping areas in the Central Plains and Central South: Usually planted in spring from February to March, harvested in June to July, but sometimes planted in August and harvested in October to November.

Potato growing conditions

Temperature: Potatoes require mild and cool climatic conditions to grow, and the ideal growing temperature is 13-18 degrees Celsius. Potatoes start growing when the soil temperature reaches 7 degrees Celsius. Too high or too low temperatures will affect the growth of potatoes. Too high temperatures may cause the tubers to be small and develop slowly, while too low temperatures may cause frost damage.

Frost: Potatoes are very sensitive to late frost, which may result in slow development and reduced yields. 0 degrees Celsius can cause frost damage to potatoes, while -2 degrees Celsius can cause frostbite to tubers.

Humidity: Potatoes need moderate relative humidity to grow. Too much or too little humidity can harm potatoes. Suitable humidity helps potatoes grow and form tubers.

Soil: Potatoes prefer loose, well-drained soil, and sandy loam is a more suitable soil type for growing potatoes. The soil pH should be between 5.5 and 6.5, with medium to high fertility and a tillage layer depth of more than 30 cm. The soil should not be too wet or too dry, so as not to affect the growth of potatoes and the quality of tubers.

Light: Potatoes' light requirements vary depending on their growth stage. Short days and strong light are required during the germination and seedling stages, while sufficient light and long days are required during the plant growth and tuber formation stages.

Water: Potatoes have different water requirements at different growth stages. Less water is required during the germination period, the soil needs to be kept moderately moist during the seedling and plant growth stages, and sufficient water supply is required during the tuber formation stage.

In short, the ideal growing temperature for potatoes is 15℃ to 25℃, so when choosing the sowing time, local climatic conditions should be considered to ensure that the potatoes can grow at a suitable temperature. Before sowing, the soil needs to be properly treated, such as deep plowing and fertilizing, to create a good growing environment.