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When to plant Potatoes in Drew County, AR

The best window to plant Potatoes in Drew County, is March 25–April 15, when soil warms to 50°F. Last frost typically hits March 18; first frost November 10.

When to Plant Potatoes in Drew County, AR

Potatoes
Drew County, Arkansas Zone 8b June

What to do in June

A quick June briefing for Drew County, Arkansas gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost March 18
Avg. first frost November 10
Soil temp (4") 82°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.2 hrs
  1. Pick potatoes

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

Before July arrives, get these ready
  • First harvests: potatoes

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

Drew County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 237 days.

At an elevation of 1,158 feet, Drew County receives approximately 54.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Potatoes during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Potatoes root diseases.

Drew County, AR (Zone 8b) Long season
237 days
Last Spring Frost March 18
237 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Drew County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Potatoes Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 19 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Aug 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 28 Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Sep 9

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.

Soil Compatibility in Drew County

How your county's soil matches Potatoes's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.8) overlaps with Potatoes's range (5.0–6.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Drew County is excellent for Potatoes — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Potatoes.

How to Plant Potatoes

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Potatoes

3
successive plantings in your 237-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 13 to harvest before frost.

Potatoes Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 65 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Potatoes

Potatoes needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Potatoes Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Drew County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Potatoes Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Potatoes needs ~1,662 GDD — county provides 4,147 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline — Drew County, AR

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 28 Jan 28 – Feb 11
Transplant Outdoors April 1 Apr 1 – Apr 15
Direct Sow March 25 Mar 25 – Apr 15
Harvest June 10 Jun 10 – Aug 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

70–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5–6.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

237 days in Drew County

Growing Tips for Potatoes in Drew County

Direct sow Potatoes outdoors after March 18 in Drew County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Potatoes in this region include tomato hornworm and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Potatoes in Drew County, AR?

Drew County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 18. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Drew County, AR?

Drew County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 18 and first fall frost is November 10.

When should I plant Potatoes in Drew County, AR?

In Drew County, AR, plant Potatoes after the last frost (around March 18) and before the first frost (around November 10). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Drew County, AR for Potatoes?

Drew County sits in USDA Zone 8b. Potatoes grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Potatoes grow in Drew County's climate?

Yes — Potatoes grows well in Drew County's temperate climate. Drew County averages a 237-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 18 and first frost around November 10.

🌱

Your Drew County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Drew County (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Drew County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.