When to plant sweet potato in zone 7a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 7A

Growing SeasonZone 7a

Last frost ~Apr 15First frost ~Oct 25Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

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Transplant May 6 · First harvest Aug 4 · Wrap by Aug 25

Last spring frostApr 15

Transplant outMay 6

First harvestAug 4

Last harvestAug 25

First fall frostOct 25

Why these dates work in zone 7a

Zone 7a's last spring frost averages Apr 15 and first fall frost Oct 25 — about 193 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 7a?

Sweet Potato matures in about 90–120 days from transplanting. In zone 7a that means setting plants out around May 6 and first picking around Aug 4.

Will sweet potato survive frost in zone 7a?

No — sweet potato is frost-sensitive. In zone 7a, wait until after the last frost (around Apr 15) to plant, and harvest before the first fall frost (around Oct 25).

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