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When to Plant Potatoes in Morrison County, MN

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

Morrison County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 155 days.

At an elevation of 1,070 feet, Morrison County receives approximately 40 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Potatoes to ensure they mature before fall.

Morrison County, MN (Zone 4a) Moderate season
155 days
Last Spring Frost May 4
155 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Morrison County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Oct 5
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: May 25 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Oct 12
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Jun 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 19 – Oct 28

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
1.1″/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 ~950 GDD — county provides 1,550 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Morrison County, MN

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 โ€“ Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors May 25 May 25 โ€“ Jun 8
Direct Sow May 18 May 18 โ€“ Jun 8
Harvest August 3 Aug 3 โ€“ Oct 12

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 4a

Growing Season

155 days

Growing Tips for Morrison 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 Morrison County, MN?

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

What planting zone is Morrison County, MN?

Morrison County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Morrison County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Morrison County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.