Root Vegetable

When to Plant Potatoes in Colorado

Incredibly satisfying to grow. There's nothing quite like digging up your own potatoes — it's like buried treasure.

The Short Answer

In Colorado, soil conditions are an important factor for potatoes. Alkaline clay soils common along Front Range. Rocky, thin soils in mountains. Amend heavily with compost and sulfur to lower pH. Direct sow 2 weeks before your last frost date.

Colorado Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Colorado you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Front Range (Denver) 5a, 5b, 6a May 1 - May 15 Sep 25 - Oct 10
Western Slope 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a May 10 - Jun 1 Sep 15 - Oct 5
Mountain Regions 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b Jun 1 - Jun 20 Aug 25 - Sep 15

Potatoes Planting Schedule for Colorado

Front Range (Denver) (Zones 5a, 5b, 6a)

Average last frost: May 1 - May 15 · Average first frost: Sep 25 - Oct 10

Direct Sow
2 wks before frost

Western Slope (Zones 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a)

Average last frost: May 10 - Jun 1 · Average first frost: Sep 15 - Oct 5

Direct Sow
2 wks before frost

Mountain Regions (Zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b)

Average last frost: Jun 1 - Jun 20 · Average first frost: Aug 25 - Sep 15

Direct Sow
2 wks before frost

Growing Potatoes in Colorado

Potatoes in Colorado's Climate

Your cold climate grows excellent potatoes. Plant seed potatoes when soil reaches 45°F — typically mid to late April. Sandy northern soils warm quickly and produce clean, well-shaped tubers. Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota have been premier potato regions for over a century. The moderate summer temperatures allow slow, steady tuber development that builds starch and flavor.

Soil Considerations for Colorado

Alkaline clay soils common along Front Range. Rocky, thin soils in mountains. Amend heavily with compost and sulfur to lower pH. Loose, well-drained soil is especially important for potatoes since the edible portion grows underground. If your soil is heavy clay, consider raised beds.

Colorado Climate & Growing Season

High altitude means intense sun but cool nights. Low humidity. Hail risk in late spring. Short but intense growing season at elevation.

Growing season length varies across Colorado: Front Range (Denver) (5a, 5b, 6a) has a last frost around May 1 - May 15, while Mountain Regions (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b) sees frost end around Jun 1 - Jun 20. This difference matters for potatoes — adjust your planting dates to match your specific region.

Growing Tips

Plant seed potatoes (not grocery store potatoes) 2-3 weeks before last frost. Hill soil around stems as they grow to increase yield.

Companion Planting

Plant potatoes alongside these companions for better growth:

Beans Corn Cabbage Marigolds

Keep potatoes away from:

Tomatoes Squash Sunflowers

The Bottom Line

Potatoes can be grown successfully across Colorado, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Front Range (Denver) gardeners should plan around a May 1 - May 15 last frost, while those in Mountain Regions can typically plant later. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Potatoes Growing Guide National planting guide with all states Colorado Planting Calendar All plants for Colorado Potatoes in Alabama Alabama planting dates Potatoes in Alaska Alaska planting dates Potatoes in Arizona Arizona planting dates Potatoes in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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