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When to plant Potatoes in Ogle County County,

Aim to plant Potatoes in Ogle County County on or after April 30; the window stays open through May 21. Ogle County County's 173-day frost-free season gives you a single solid spring crop with a brief fall option.

When to Plant Potatoes in Ogle County, IL

Potatoes

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

Ogle County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 173 days.

At an elevation of 890 feet, Ogle County receives approximately 39.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Potatoes during the growing season.

Ogle County, IL (Zone 5b) Moderate season
173 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
173 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13

Ogle County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

How Much Potatoes to Grow

3-5 lbs
Average yield per plant
5
Plants per person
10 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 20 potatoes plants in about 40 sq ft. In Ogle County's 173-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Potatoes Planting Timeline — Ogle County, IL

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 26 Feb 26 – Mar 12
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 – May 21
Direct Sow April 30 Apr 30 – May 21
Harvest July 16 Jul 16 – Sep 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

70–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5–6.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

173 days in Ogle County

Growing Tips for Ogle 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Potatoes in Ogle County, IL?

Ogle County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ogle County, IL?

Ogle County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 13.

When should I plant Potatoes in Ogle County County, ?

In Ogle County County, , plant Potatoes after the last frost (around April 23) and before the first frost (around October 13). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Ogle County County, for Potatoes?

Ogle County County sits in USDA Zone 5b. Potatoes grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Potatoes grow in Ogle County County's climate?

Yes — Potatoes grows well in Ogle County County's temperate climate. Ogle County County averages a 173-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 23 and first frost around October 13.

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Your Ogle County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Ogle County (Zone 5b). 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 Ogle County, IL. 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.