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When to plant Potatoes in Stringer, MS

Plant Potatoes in Stringer, when soil hits 50°F — usually March 22. Continue planting through April 12 for the spring crop.

When to Plant Potatoes in Stringer, MS

Potatoes
Jasper County, Mississippi Zone 8b July

July to-do list for Jasper County, Mississippi

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Jasper County, Mississippi this July and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost March 15
Avg. first frost November 12
Soil temp (4") 89°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.9 hrs
  1. Start harvesting potatoes

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

Before August 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.

Stringer, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 15 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 242 days.

At an elevation of 468 feet, Jasper County receives approximately 53.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Potatoes during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Potatoes, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Potatoes root diseases.

Stringer, MS (Zone 8b) Long season
242 days
Last Spring Frost March 15
242 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Stringer Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Potatoes Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 16 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 25 Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Aug 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Sep 8

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 Stringer

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–6.6) overlaps with Potatoes's range (5.0–6.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Potatoes.

How to Plant Potatoes

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

Succession Planting Potatoes

4
successive plantings in your 242-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 15 to harvest before frost.

Potatoes Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 169 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 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Dec 5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Jasper 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 ~1,948 GDD — county provides 4,961 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline — Stringer, MS

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 25 Jan 25 – Feb 8
Transplant Outdoors March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 12
Direct Sow March 22 Mar 22 – Apr 12
Harvest June 7 Jun 7 – Aug 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors 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

242 days in Jasper County

Growing Tips for Potatoes in Stringer

Direct sow Potatoes outdoors after March 15 in Jasper County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Jasper County's clay soil (27% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Potatoes. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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 →

When should I plant Potatoes in Stringer, MS?

In Stringer, MS, plant Potatoes after the last frost (around March 15) and before the first frost (around November 12). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Stringer, MS for Potatoes?

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

Can Potatoes grow in Stringer's climate?

Yes — Potatoes grows well in Stringer's temperate climate. Stringer averages a 242-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 15 and first frost around November 12.

🌱

Your Jasper County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Jasper 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.

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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 Jasper County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.