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When to Plant Potatoes in Lincoln 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.

Lincoln County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 132 days.

At an elevation of 1,129 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 37.4 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.

Lincoln County, WI (Zone 4a) Short season
132 days
Last Spring Frost May 19
132 growing days
First Fall Frost September 28

Lincoln County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Jun 3 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Oct 21
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Jun 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 18 – Oct 27
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 31 Transplant: Jun 23 🍅 Harvest: Sep 1 – Nov 10

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 ~1,021 GDD — county provides 1,419 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Lincoln County, WI

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 17 Mar 17 โ€“ Mar 31
Transplant Outdoors June 9 Jun 9 โ€“ Jun 23
Direct Sow June 2 Jun 2 โ€“ Jun 23
Harvest August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Oct 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 โ€”
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

132 days

Growing Tips for Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, WI?

Lincoln County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 19. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lincoln County, WI?

Lincoln County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 19 and first fall frost is September 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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