Root Vegetable

When to Plant Potatoes in Utah

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

The Short Answer

In Utah, soil conditions are an important factor for potatoes. Alkaline desert soils. Low organic matter. Saline soils in some areas. Heavy amendment with compost and sulfur needed. Direct sow 2 weeks before your last frost date.

Utah Frost Dates

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

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Wasatch Front (SLC) 6a, 6b, 7a Apr 20 - May 10 Oct 1 - Oct 20
Mountain Regions 4a, 4b, 5a May 25 - Jun 15 Aug 25 - Sep 15
Southern Utah 6b, 7a, 7b Apr 10 - May 1 Oct 10 - Nov 1

Potatoes Planting Schedule for Utah

Wasatch Front (SLC) (Zones 6a, 6b, 7a)

Average last frost: Apr 20 - May 10 · Average first frost: Oct 1 - Oct 20

Direct Sow
2 wks before frost

Mountain Regions (Zones 4a, 4b, 5a)

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

Direct Sow
2 wks before frost

Southern Utah (Zones 6b, 7a, 7b)

Average last frost: Apr 10 - May 1 · Average first frost: Oct 10 - Nov 1

Direct Sow
2 wks before frost

Growing Potatoes in Utah

Potatoes in Utah's Climate

Potatoes are a cool-season crop in warm climates — plant in late winter for late spring harvest before summer heat shuts tuber growth down. Once soil temperatures exceed 85°F consistently, tuber growth stops. Choose heat-tolerant varieties like Red LaSoda. Some southern growers plant a second crop in August for fall harvest.

Soil Considerations for Utah

Alkaline desert soils. Low organic matter. Saline soils in some areas. Heavy amendment with compost and sulfur needed. Loose, well-drained soil is especially important for potatoes since the edible portion grows underground. If your soil is heavy clay, consider raised beds.

Utah Climate & Growing Season

Arid climate. Intense sun. Low humidity. Wide temperature swings. Irrigation essential everywhere.

Growing season length varies across Utah: Wasatch Front (SLC) (6a, 6b, 7a) has a last frost around Apr 20 - May 10, while Southern Utah (6b, 7a, 7b) sees frost end around Apr 10 - May 1. 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 Utah, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Wasatch Front (SLC) gardeners should plan around a Apr 20 - May 10 last frost, while those in Southern Utah can typically plant earlier. 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 Utah Planting Calendar All plants for Utah 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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