Potato plants can survive light frost, but hard frost may damage the leaves and shoots in some cases. In some cases, potato plants can survive a hard frost. A hard frost means temperatures less than 28 degrees Fahrenheit (-2 degrees Celsius). However, temperatures below 28 degrees Fahrenheit could kill the part of the potato plant above the soil.
Some have found that the small potatoes underground are not affected, but the plant on top must survive for potatoes to continue to grow in the soil. Observe the potato plants for damage after the ice or frost melts and falls off the leaves. Never wash ice or frost off plants with water after a freeze.
Symptoms of freeze damage may vary from blackening of the leaf margins (minor damage) to death of all aboveground growth (severe damage). Fortunately, severely damaged potatoes will send up new growth (shoots) within 10 to 14 days.
Will potato plants freeze?
Some springs have an unpredictably late “killing frost,” which can make your newly emerged potato plants freeze. The green foliage will turn black, become limp, or the entire plant may fall to the ground. The small potatoes underground are not affected, but the plant on top must survive for potatoes to continue to grow in the soil.
Observe the potato plants for damage after the ice or frost melts and falls off the leaves. Never wash ice or frost off plants with water after a freeze.
Will freezing temperatures in May damage my potato plants?
Freezing temperatures in May damaged my potato plants. Will I need to replant? Potato shoots (stems) are sensitive to freezing temperatures. Symptoms of freeze damage may vary from blackening of the leaf margins (minor damage) to death of all aboveground growth (severe damage).
Can you store seed potatoes in the winter?
Gardeners may store seed potatoes through the winter for use during spring planting. The optimum storage temperature for seed potatoes ranges from 36 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Storing seed potatoes at a temperature below 32F freezes and damages the potatoes. But some seed potatoes will still sprout and grow new plants after suffering freeze damage.