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When to Plant Potatoes in Cumberland County, NJ

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

Cumberland County, New Jersey is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 229 days.

At an elevation of 425 feet, Cumberland County receives approximately 42 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Potatoes during the growing season.

Cumberland County, NJ (Zone 7a) Long season
229 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
229 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Cumberland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Sep 10

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 468 gal / 100 sq ft
Potatoes needs ~1,948 GDD — county provides 4,694 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Cumberland County, NJ

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 7 Feb 7 โ€“ Feb 21
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ Apr 25
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Harvest June 20 Jun 20 โ€“ Aug 29

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 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 7a

Growing Season

229 days

Growing Tips for Cumberland 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 Cumberland County, NJ?

Cumberland County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cumberland County, NJ?

Cumberland County, New Jersey is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 12.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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