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When to Plant Potatoes in Windsor-Essex, ON

Potatoes

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

Windsor-Essex, Ontario is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 623 feet, Windsor-Essex receives approximately 41.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 90°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.

Windsor-Essex, ON (Zone 8a) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Windsor-Essex Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay 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 Windsor-Essex's 220-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Potatoes Planting Timeline — Windsor-Essex, ON

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 5 Feb 5 – Feb 19
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 – Apr 23
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 – Apr 23
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 – Aug 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March
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

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

70–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5–6.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

220 days in Windsor-Essex

Growing Tips for Windsor-Essex

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 Windsor-Essex, ON?

Windsor-Essex is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Windsor-Essex, ON?

Windsor-Essex, Ontario is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 1.

🌱

Your Windsor-Essex Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Windsor-Essex (Zone 8a). 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 Windsor-Essex, ON. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

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