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When to Plant Potatoes in Morgan 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.

Morgan County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 148 days.

At an elevation of 7,673 feet, Morgan County receives approximately 17.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, 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.

Morgan County, CO (Zone 5a) Short season
148 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
148 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Morgan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Oct 3
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: May 24 🍅 Harvest: Aug 2 – Oct 11
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Jun 3 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Oct 21

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 782 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Potatoes needs ~1,235 GDD — county provides 1,924 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Morgan County, CO

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Mar 29
Transplant Outdoors May 24 May 24 โ€“ Jun 7
Direct Sow May 17 May 17 โ€“ Jun 7
Harvest August 2 Aug 2 โ€“ Oct 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 5a

Growing Season

148 days

Growing Tips for Morgan 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 Morgan County, CO?

Morgan County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Morgan County, CO?

Morgan County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Morgan County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Morgan County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.