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When to Plant Potatoes in Price 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.

Price County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.

At an elevation of 1,325 feet, Price County receives approximately 41.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Potatoes to ensure they mature before fall.

Price County, WI (Zone 3b) Short season
135 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
135 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29

Price County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.3

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 7
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Jun 7 🍅 Harvest: Aug 16 – Oct 11
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: Jun 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 29 – Oct 24

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
1.3″/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 ~950 GDD — county provides 1,350 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Price County, WI

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Mar 29
Transplant Outdoors June 7 Jun 7 โ€“ Jun 21
Direct Sow May 31 May 31 โ€“ Jun 21
Harvest August 16 Aug 16 โ€“ Oct 11

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 3b

Growing Season

135 days

Growing Tips for Price 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 Price County, WI?

Price County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Price County, WI?

Price County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is September 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Price County gardeners in Zone 3b 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 Price County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.