Blog

When to Plant Potatoes in Hinsdale County, CO

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

Hinsdale County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is June 18 and the first fall frost is September 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 84 days.

At an elevation of 6,833 feet, Hinsdale County receives approximately 23.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Potatoes to ensure they mature before fall.

Hinsdale County, CO (Zone 4a) Very short season
84 days
Last Spring Frost June 18
84 growing days
First Fall Frost September 10

Hinsdale County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: Jun 26 🍅 Harvest: Sep 4 – Nov 13
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 16 Transplant: Jul 9 🍅 Harvest: Sep 17 – Nov 26
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 27 Transplant: Jul 20 🍅 Harvest: Sep 28 – Dec 7

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Potatoes needs ~1,092 GDD — county provides 966 GDD May not mature

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Hinsdale County, CO

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Transplant Outdoors July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Jul 23
Direct Sow July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Jul 23
Harvest September 17 Sep 17 โ€“ Nov 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
August โ€”
September Harvest
October Harvest
November Harvest
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 4a

Growing Season

84 days

Growing Tips for Hinsdale County

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 Hinsdale County, CO?

Hinsdale County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of June 18. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hinsdale County, CO?

Hinsdale County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is June 18 and first fall frost is September 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hinsdale County gardeners in Zone 4a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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