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When to plant Potatoes in Howard County, IN

Plant Potatoes in Howard County from April 29 to May 20 in spring. Howard County sits in USDA Zone 6a, with last frost around April 22 and first frost on October 17.

When to Plant Potatoes in Howard County, IN

Potatoes

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

Howard County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.

At an elevation of 1,303 feet, Howard County receives approximately 41.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Potatoes during the growing season.

Howard County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
178 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
178 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Howard County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

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 Howard County's 178-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Potatoes Planting Timeline — Howard County, IN

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 25 Feb 25 – Mar 11
Transplant Outdoors May 6 May 6 – May 20
Direct Sow April 29 Apr 29 – May 20
Harvest July 15 Jul 15 – Sep 23

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 6a

📆 Growing Season

178 days in Howard County

Growing Tips for Howard 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 Howard County, IN?

Howard County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Howard County, IN?

Howard County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 17.

When should I plant Potatoes in Howard County, IN?

In Howard County, IN, plant Potatoes after the last frost (around April 22) and before the first frost (around October 17). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Howard County, IN for Potatoes?

Howard County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Potatoes grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Potatoes grow in Howard County's climate?

Yes — Potatoes grows well in Howard County's temperate climate. Howard County averages a 178-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 22 and first frost around October 17.

🌱

Your Howard County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Howard County (Zone 6a). 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 Howard County, IN. 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.