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When to Plant Potatoes in Fulton County, PA

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

Fulton County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.

At an elevation of 307 feet, Fulton County receives approximately 49.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Potatoes during the growing season.

Fulton County, PA (Zone 6a) Moderate season
178 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
178 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Fulton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Sep 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (18 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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Potatoes needs ~1,591 GDD — county provides 2,981 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Fulton County, PA

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 27 Feb 27 โ€“ Mar 13
Transplant Outdoors May 8 May 8 โ€“ May 22
Direct Sow May 1 May 1 โ€“ May 22
Harvest July 17 Jul 17 โ€“ Sep 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
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

178 days

Growing Tips for Fulton 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 Fulton County, PA?

Fulton County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fulton County, PA?

Fulton County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Fulton 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 Fulton County, PA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.