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When to Plant Potatoes in Bathurst, NB

Potatoes

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

Bathurst, New Brunswick is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 160 days.

At an elevation of 131 feet, Bathurst receives approximately 27.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly gray-brown podzol soil. Summer highs average 73°F, so choose short-season varieties of Potatoes to ensure they mature before fall.

Bathurst, NB (Zone 5a) Moderate season
160 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
160 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Bathurst Soil Profile

Soil Type

Gray-Brown Podzol

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 Bathurst's 160-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Potatoes Planting Timeline — Bathurst, NB

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 8 Mar 8 – Mar 22
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 – May 31
Direct Sow May 10 May 10 – May 31
Harvest July 26 Jul 26 – Oct 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 5a

📆 Growing Season

160 days in Bathurst

Growing Tips for Bathurst

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 Bathurst, NB?

Bathurst is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bathurst, NB?

Bathurst, New Brunswick is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 10.

🌱

Your Bathurst Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Bathurst (Zone 5a). 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 Bathurst, NB. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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