When to plant sweet potato in zone 5a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 5A

Growing SeasonZone 5a

Last frost ~May 10First frost ~Oct 1Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

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Transplant May 31 · First harvest Aug 29 · Wrap by Sep 19

Last spring frostMay 10

Transplant outMay 31

First harvestAug 29

Last harvestSep 19

First fall frostOct 1

Why these dates work in zone 5a

Zone 5a's last spring frost averages May 10 and first fall frost Oct 1 — about 144 frost-free days. Sweet Potato is frost-sensitive, so the 3w after frost timing builds in a safety margin against a late cold snap — setting plants out too early risks losing them to frost.

Common questions

How long does sweet potato take to grow in zone 5a?

Sweet Potato matures in about 90–120 days from transplanting. In zone 5a that means setting plants out around May 31 and first picking around Aug 29.

Will sweet potato survive frost in zone 5a?

No — sweet potato is frost-sensitive. In zone 5a, wait until after the last frost (around May 10) to plant, and harvest before the first fall frost (around Oct 1).

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full sweet potato growing guide →