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When to Plant Potatoes in Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK

Potatoes are a versatile staple crop that produces tubers underground. They come in hundreds of varieties with varying colors, textures, and maturity dates.

Prince of Wales-Hyder, Alaska is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 202 days.

At an elevation of 257 feet, Prince of Wales-Hyder receives approximately 14.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 70ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Potatoes to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Potatoes successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK (Zone 7b) Long season
202 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
202 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Prince of Wales-Hyder Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Sep 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Sep 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Oct 2

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.3″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 720 gal / 100 sq ft
Potatoes needs ~238 GDD — county provides 505 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 9
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 11
Harvest July 6 Jul 6 โ€“ Sep 14

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

70โ€“120 days

Soil pH

5 โ€“ 6.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

202 days

Growing Tips for Prince of Wales-Hyder

Plant seed potatoes (not grocery store potatoes) 4 inches deep in spring. Hill soil around stems as plants grow to prevent greening. Stop watering when plants die back.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes
  • Cucumber
  • Squash Summer

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Potatoes in Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK?

Prince of Wales-Hyder is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK?

Prince of Wales-Hyder, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.