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When to Plant Potatoes in Edgecombe County, NC

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

Edgecombe County, North Carolina is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 685 feet, Edgecombe County receives approximately 47.9 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.

Edgecombe County, NC (Zone 7b) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost March 29
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 4

Edgecombe County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 21

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 167 gal / 100 sq ft
Potatoes needs ~1,591 GDD — county provides 3,685 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Edgecombe County, NC

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 8 Feb 8 โ€“ Feb 22
Transplant Outdoors April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ Apr 26
Direct Sow April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 26
Harvest June 21 Jun 21 โ€“ Aug 30

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 7b

Growing Season

220 days

Growing Tips for Edgecombe 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 Edgecombe County, NC?

Edgecombe County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 29. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Edgecombe County, NC?

Edgecombe County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 29 and first fall frost is November 4.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Edgecombe County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Edgecombe County, NC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.