Blog

When to Plant Potatoes in Grant County, NE

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

Grant County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 145 days.

At an elevation of 689 feet, Grant County receives approximately 24.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Potatoes to ensure they mature before fall.

Grant County, NE (Zone 4b) Short season
145 days
Last Spring Frost May 13
145 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Grant County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: May 29 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Oct 16
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Jun 3 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Oct 21
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Jun 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 20 – Oct 29

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 463 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Potatoes needs ~950 GDD — county provides 1,450 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Grant County, NE

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Jun 17
Direct Sow May 27 May 27 โ€“ Jun 17
Harvest August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Oct 21

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 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 4b

Growing Season

145 days

Growing Tips for Grant 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 Grant County, NE?

Grant County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grant County, NE?

Grant County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is October 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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