Blog

When to Plant Potatoes in Brown 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.

Brown County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 189 days.

At an elevation of 1,146 feet, Brown County receives approximately 32 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Potatoes during the growing season.

Brown County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
189 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
189 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Brown County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Sep 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Sep 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Oct 9

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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,189 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Potatoes needs ~1,520 GDD — county provides 3,024 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Brown County, OH

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 21 Feb 21 โ€“ Mar 7
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 16
Harvest July 11 Jul 11 โ€“ Sep 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Direct Sow
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

189 days

Growing Tips for Brown 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 Brown County, OH?

Brown County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Brown County, OH?

Brown County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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