When to plant potatoes in Wenatchee, WA

Plant seed potatoes in Wenatchee Apr 1 – May 13.

Easy Plant seed potatoes

Why these dates

Wenatchee's typical last spring frost is April 8. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about April 1.

Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys. Hot, dry summers and quick spring warm-up. Warm crops go in earlier than west of the Cascades, and irrigation matters more than rain.

Difficulty: Easy
Sun: Full sun
Spacing: 12 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart
Planting depth: 4 inches deep in a trench
Frost: Handles light frost
First harvest: About 95 days after planting

Step by step

Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
Plant seed potatoes Apr 1 – May 13, 4 inches deep in a trench, 12 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart. Cut large ones into pieces with at least two eyes each.
As plants grow, pile soil or straw around the stems so the potatoes stay covered.
Harvest: Dig new potatoes when the plants flower. For storage potatoes, wait two weeks after the tops die back.

Varieties that do well here

Yukon Gold
German Butterball
Red Norland

Watch out for

Wireworms in beds that were recently lawn. Grow potatoes in an established bed if you can.

Use certified seed potatoes. Hill soil around stems as they grow.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Wenatchee, WA?

Typically April 8. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 23. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Wenatchee Pangborn Airport.

Is it too late to plant potatoes in Wenatchee?

The spring planting window runs through May 13. Later plantings tend to struggle in summer heat.

How long until I can harvest potatoes?

About 95 days after planting. Dig new potatoes when the plants flower. For storage potatoes, wait two weeks after the tops die back.

Also plant in Wenatchee around the same time

Planting dates for potatoes in nearby areas

Pendleton, OR Apr 1 – May 13
The Dalles, OR Apr 1 – May 13
Yakima, WA Apr 10 – May 22
Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland), WA Apr 1 – May 13
Walla Walla, WA Apr 1 – May 13
Moses Lake, WA Apr 1 – May 13

Full planting calendar for Wenatchee · Potatoes in every city