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When to Plant Potatoes in Carroll 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.

Carroll County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 168 days.

At an elevation of 1,145 feet, Carroll County receives approximately 35 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Potatoes during the growing season.

Carroll County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
168 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
168 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15

Carroll County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Sep 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Oct 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: Jun 5 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Oct 23

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 187 gal / 100 sq ft
Potatoes needs ~1,306 GDD — county provides 2,310 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Carroll County, OH

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors May 14 May 14 โ€“ May 28
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 28
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 โ€“ Oct 1

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 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 5b

Growing Season

168 days

Growing Tips for Carroll 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 Carroll County, OH?

Carroll County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Carroll County, OH?

Carroll County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Carroll County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Carroll County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.