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When to Plant Potatoes in Craig County, VA

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

Craig County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 176 days.

At an elevation of 460 feet, Craig County receives approximately 43 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Potatoes during the growing season.

Craig County, VA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
176 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
176 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Craig County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Sep 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: May 29 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Oct 16

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Potatoes needs ~1,306 GDD — county provides 2,420 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Craig County, VA

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 1 Mar 1 โ€“ Mar 15
Transplant Outdoors May 10 May 10 โ€“ May 24
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 24
Harvest July 19 Jul 19 โ€“ Sep 27

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 6b

Growing Season

176 days

Growing Tips for Craig 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 Craig County, VA?

Craig County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Craig County, VA?

Craig County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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