Blog

When to Plant Potatoes in Dunn County, WI

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

Dunn County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 140 days.

At an elevation of 1,221 feet, Dunn County receives approximately 34.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Potatoes to ensure they mature before fall.

Dunn County, WI (Zone 4a) Short season
140 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
140 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29

Dunn County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: May 24 🍅 Harvest: Aug 2 – Oct 11
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Oct 20
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Jun 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 19 – Oct 28

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
Drought risk

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

Potatoes needs ~1,021 GDD — county provides 1,505 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Dunn County, WI

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors June 2 Jun 2 โ€“ Jun 16
Direct Sow May 26 May 26 โ€“ Jun 16
Harvest August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Oct 20

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 Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July โ€”
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 4a

Growing Season

140 days

Growing Tips for Dunn 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 Dunn County, WI?

Dunn County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dunn County, WI?

Dunn County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is September 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Dunn County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Dunn County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.