Potatoes are a popular crop to grow in Oregon. With its mild climate and plenty of sunshine and precipitation, the state offers ideal conditions for growing potatoes. Potatoes are a low-maintenance crop; they just need enough water and fertilizer and are relatively disease and pest resistant. With the right soil and growing conditions, potatoes can be harvested year-round in Oregon. Potatoes are a great choice for home gardeners and commercial farmers. With proper storage and care, potatoes grown in Oregon can provide a year-round supply of fresh, delicious potatoes.
Oregon’s Hardiness Zones And Climate
Oregon is known for its diverse climate and growing zones, which range from 4b through 9b. In Zone 4b, located in the northern part of the state, winters are cold and snowy, with temperatures dropping to as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Summers are cool and wet, with temperatures reaching highs of around 75 degrees. This temperate climate makes it ideal for growing cold-hardy crops like potatoes, onions, and garlic.
Zones 5a and 5b are located in the central parts of the state and experience a moderate climate. Winters are cold but not as severe as Zone 4b, and temperatures usually range between 0 and 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Summers in these zones are warm and dry, with temperatures reaching highs of 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This climate is ideal for growing a variety of fruits and vegetables, including apples, cherries, raspberries, and tomatoes.
Zones 6a and 6b are located in the southern part of the state and experience a mild climate. Winters are relatively mild, with temperatures ranging between 10 and 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Summers are hot and dry, with temperatures reaching highs of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Crops that thrive in this climate include melons, squash, peppers, and stone fruits like peaches and plums.
Zones 7a and 7b are located in the southwestern part of the state and experience a hot climate. Winters are mild, with temperatures rarely dropping below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Summers are hot and dry, with temperatures reaching highs of 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Crops that thrive in this climate include tomatoes, corn, peppers, and legumes.
Hardiness Zones 8 & 9
Zones 8a and 8b are located in the western part of the state and experience a mild climate. Winters in these zones are mild, with temperatures ranging between 20 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Summers are hot and dry, with temperatures reaching highs of 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Crops that thrive in this climate include melons, squash, peppers, and stone fruits like peaches and plums.
Zone 9b is located in the northwestern part of the state and experiences a moderate climate. Winters in this zone are mild, with temperatures ranging between 30 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Summers are warm and dry, with temperatures reaching highs of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Crops that thrive in this climate include tomatoes, corn, peppers, and legumes.
Oregon’s diverse climate and growing zones make it ideal for growing a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other crops. Whether you’re looking to grow cold-hardy crops in the northern parts of the state or warm-weather crops in the southwestern parts of the state, Oregon has something to offer.
Different varieties of seed potatoes
When selecting seed potatoes for growing in Oregon, it is important to be mindful of the variety’s days to harvest and the length of time you have before you want to harvest them.
Early-season varieties such as ‘Yukon Gold’ and ‘Red Norland’ have fewer days to harvest and should be planted as soon as possible for harvesting in late summer.
Mid-season varieties such as ‘Russet Burbank’ and ‘Kennebec’ have more days to harvest and should be planted in late April or early May for harvesting in fall.
Late-season varieties such as ‘Cara Russet’ and ‘All Blue’ have the most days to harvest and should be planted in late April or early May for harvesting in early winter. Be sure to select varieties with the right number of days to harvest for your intended harvest date. Some good potato varieties for Oregon include:
- Russet Potatoes: 85-95 days
- Yukon Gold Potatoes: 90-110 days
- Red Potatoes: 80-90 days
- Purple Potatoes: 90-110 days
- Fingerling Potatoes: 90-120 days
- Sweet Potatoes: 90-120 days
- White Potatoes: 90-100 days
- All-Blue Potatoes: 95-105 days
- Yellow Finn Potatoes: 85-95 days
- Kennebec Potatoes: 85-95 days
When To Plant Potatoes In Oregon
In Oregon, potatoes are typically planted in late March or early April. It is best to wait until the soil has had a chance to warm up to at least 40 degrees F. Potatoes can be planted as late as mid-May, but the harvest will be smaller.
- Zone 4: Around April 30th
- Zone 5: Around April 15th
- Zone 6: Around April 7th
- Zone 7: Around March 24th
- Zone 8: Around March 14th
- Zone 9: Around February 14th
How To Plant Potatoes In Oregon
Begin the planting process for seed potatoes by tilling the soil to a depth of 8 inches and incorporating organic compost. Once you have done this, find a sunny location that receives at least 8 hours of direct sunlight and place the seed potatoes.
Plant the seed potatoes with the “eyes” facing upward, leaving a distance of 8 to 10 inches in between each. Cover the seed potatoes with a layer of soil that is 3-4 inches thick, and make sure to water them adequately. As the potatoes start to sprout, add more soil to the rows to keep them adequately buried.
Water the potatoes on a regular basis and remove any weeds from the area. For those living in hot and dry climates, you may want to cover the soil around the potatoes with straw, although this is not essential.
Caring For Potato Plants
Caring for potato plants is pretty easy – they’re incredibly hardy and generally no-fuss. Potato plants need full sun and well-drained soil to thrive. They should be watered deeply and regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Fertilizing is also important for optimal growth. Potato plants need a balanced fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This should be applied every four to six weeks, depending on the soil’s nutrient content.
It is also important to keep the soil evenly moist, as potatoes do not tolerate dry or waterlogged conditions. Mulching around the potato plants can help retain moisture and reduce weeds.
When To Harvest Potatoes In Oregon
There are two sure ways to know your potatoes are about ready to harvest! The first is counting backward from your current date to their planting date. Potato varieties have an approximate number of days to harvest, so consult the days to harvest for the particular variety of potatoes you’ve planted. If you aren’t sure, assume it’s around 100 days.
The appearance of your potato plants is another dead giveaway. You will know your potatoes are ready to harvest when the foliage begins to turn yellow and die back. Your plants will go through an entire flowering cycle, which is nice because the flowers are really beautiful.
Allow the soil around the plants to dry before harvesting, but don’t allow it to be dry for too long. Once harvested, inspect the potatoes carefully- they should be firm and free of green or soft spots.
Carefully dig up the potatoes with a garden fork, taking care not to damage the potatoes in the process. Once the potatoes have all been dug up, brush off any excess soil and inspect them for any damage. Discard any potatoes that are damaged, as these are not suitable for long-term storage.
Finally, gently place the potatoes in a cool, dry, and dark area for storage. It is important to only store undamaged potatoes, as damaged potatoes can quickly rot.