Growing potatoes in Oklahoma is a great way to feed your family with nutritious staple food. Potatoes are a hearty crop that can thrive in Oklahoma’s hot and humid climate. Potatoes are easy to grow and can be planted in the spring after the last frost date. It is important to choose a variety of potatoes that is suited for Oklahoma’s climate.
After planting the potatoes, it is important to keep the soil consistently moist and to weed frequently. When the potatoes are ready to be harvested, they can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to a year. Growing potatoes in Oklahoma is a great way to provide your family with healthy, inexpensive food.
Oklahoma’s Hardiness Zones And Climate
Oklahoma has a wide variety of climates depending on where you are in the state. Growing Zones 6 through 8 encompass much of the state and are characterized by hot summers and mild winters. These areas usually experience temperatures between 25 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months.
Winters in these zones tend to be mild, with temperatures ranging between 15 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Rainfall is also typically higher in these zones, with an average of 35 inches of rain per year. The amount of sunshine in these areas is also high, with an average of 8 hours of direct sunshine per day.
While the climate may vary from year to year and region to region, overall the climate in Growing Zones 6 through 8 of Oklahoma is ideal for growing a variety of fruits and vegetables.
Different varieties of seed potatoes
When selecting seed potatoes for growing in Oklahoma, 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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, the best time to plant potatoes is in late February to early March. This allows the potatoes to take advantage of the warm spring temperatures and be ready for harvest in late June to early July. The planting dates for potatoes in Oklahoma are:
- Zone 6: Around April 7th
- Zone 7: Around March 24th
- Zone 8: Around March 14th
How To Plant Potatoes In Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma
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.
