Open-field potato planting times by region

Potatoes, also known as spuds, are one of the world’s major food crops. They are highly nutritious, easily absorbed by the human body, and economically affordable, making them a popular choice for farmers seeking to improve their livelihoods. So, when is the best time to plant potatoes? And what key considerations should be kept in mind during potato cultivation?
When should potatoes be planted?
Due to China’s vast land resources and significant temperature differences between the north and south, potato planting times vary across regions, falling into the following specific periods:

• In China, potatoes are typically planted from October to December and harvested from January to March of the following year. Of course, provided that climatic conditions permit, potatoes can theoretically be grown year-round; the specific planting schedule, however, still depends on local weather patterns.

I. Northeast China, as well as the northwestern regions such as Gansu and Qinghai, Generally, planting takes place in spring from mid-to-late April to early May—after the Grain Rain and before the Start of Summer according to the traditional Chinese lunar calendar—and harvesting occurs in autumn. Typically, only one potato crop can be grown per year, which is why this region is known as the single-cropping zone of northern and northwestern China.
II. Shandong, Hebei, Henan, Shanxi, Jiangsu, Hunan, Hebei, and others. In the Central Plains region, including Shandong and Hebei, spring potatoes are planted in February and March—between the Rain Water and the Awakening of Insects solar terms—and harvested from June to July. Autumn potatoes, sown in August—between the Beginning of Autumn and the End of Heat solar terms—are harvested in early October or November.
III. Some provinces in central and southern China, such as Jiangsu and Zhejiang In January and February—between the “Great Cold” and “Beginning of Spring,” marking the start of spring—you can plant spring‑season potatoes, harvesting them in May or June. In September—between “White Dew” and “Autumn Equinox”—you sow autumn‑season varieties, harvesting in December. These regions are known as the Central Plains and the Central–South double‑cropping zone.
IV. Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Yunnan, Guizhou, and other regions During the fallow period following the rice harvest, a single potato crop can be planted. Sowing typically occurs in mid-to-late October through November—after the Frost’s Descent solar term and before the Beginning of Winter—and harvesting takes place in February or March of the following year. Because the growing season largely falls within winter, these regions are commonly referred to as southern winter‑cropping areas.
In addition, when potatoes reproduce asexually via tubers, seed potatoes can sprout and grow at soil temperatures of 5–8°C, with an optimal range of 15–20°C. The temperature most favorable for stem and leaf growth and flowering is 16–22°C. For tuber formation, the ideal nighttime temperature is 10–13°C (with soil temperatures of 16–18°C); above 20°C, tuberization proceeds slowly. During emergence and the seedling stage, temperatures as low as −2°C can cause frost damage.