When to plant sweet potato in zone 6a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 6A

Growing SeasonZone 6a

Last frost ~Apr 30First frost ~Oct 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

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Transplant May 21 · First harvest Aug 19 · Wrap by Sep 9

Last spring frostApr 30

Transplant outMay 21

First harvestAug 19

Last harvestSep 9

First fall frostOct 10

Why these dates work in zone 6a

Zone 6a's last spring frost averages Apr 30 and first fall frost Oct 10 — about 163 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 6a?

Sweet Potato matures in about 90–120 days from transplanting. In zone 6a that means setting plants out around May 21 and first picking around Aug 19.

Will sweet potato survive frost in zone 6a?

No — sweet potato is frost-sensitive. In zone 6a, wait until after the last frost (around Apr 30) to plant, and harvest before the first fall frost (around Oct 10).

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