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When to Plant Potatoes in Panola County, MS

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

Panola County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 226 days.

At an elevation of 362 feet, Panola County receives approximately 60.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, 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.

Panola County, MS (Zone 7b) Long season
226 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
226 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Panola County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 21 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Aug 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 16

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
Potatoes needs ~1,805 GDD — county provides 4,294 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Panola County, MS

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 1 Feb 1 โ€“ Feb 15
Transplant Outdoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Direct Sow March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 19
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 โ€“ Aug 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

226 days

Growing Tips for Panola 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 Panola County, MS?

Panola County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Panola County, MS?

Panola County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 3.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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