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When to Plant Potatoes in Belmont County, OH

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

Belmont County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 996 feet, Belmont County receives approximately 33.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Potatoes during the growing season.

Belmont County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Belmont County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Oct 15

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 345 gal / 100 sq ft
Potatoes needs ~1,591 GDD — county provides 2,998 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Belmont County, OH

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 โ€“ Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors May 11 May 11 โ€“ May 25
Direct Sow May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 25
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 โ€“ Sep 28

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 โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 6a

Growing Season

179 days

Growing Tips for Belmont 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 Belmont County, OH?

Belmont County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Belmont County, OH?

Belmont County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 23.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Belmont County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Belmont County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.