Blog

When to Plant Potatoes in Cobb County, GA

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

Cobb County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 215 days.

At an elevation of 387 feet, Cobb County receives approximately 57.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Potatoes during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Potatoes, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Potatoes root diseases.

Cobb County, GA (Zone 7b) Long season
215 days
Last Spring Frost March 31
215 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Cobb County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Sep 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 18

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.

Soil Compatibility in Cobb County

How your county's soil matches Potatoes's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3โ€“6.5) is within Potatoes's preferred range (5.0โ€“6.5).

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Cobb County is excellent for Potatoes โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Potatoes.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help Potatoes.

How to Plant Potatoes

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Potatoes

3
successive plantings in your 215-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 04 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/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 ~1,591 GDD — county provides 3,601 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Cobb County, GA

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 10 Feb 10 โ€“ Feb 24
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ Apr 28
Direct Sow April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 28
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 โ€“ Sep 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

70โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5โ€“6.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

215 days in Cobb County

Growing Tips for Potatoes in Cobb County

Direct sow Potatoes outdoors after March 31 in Cobb County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Cobb County's clay soil (26% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Potatoes. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Common pests for Potatoes in this region include tomato hornworm and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Cobb County, GA?

Cobb County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cobb County, GA?

Cobb County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cobb County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Cobb County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.