When to plant sweet potato in zone 9a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 9A

Growing SeasonZone 9a

Last frost ~Feb 28First frost ~Nov 30Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MARAPRMAYJUNJUL

Transplant Mar 21 · First harvest Jun 19 · Wrap by Jul 10

Last spring frostFeb 28

Transplant outMar 21

First harvestJun 19

Last harvestJul 10

First fall frostNov 30

Why these dates work in zone 9a

Zone 9a's last spring frost averages Feb 28 and first fall frost Nov 30 — about 275 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 9a?

Sweet Potato matures in about 90–120 days from transplanting. In zone 9a that means setting plants out around Mar 21 and first picking around Jun 19.

Will sweet potato survive frost in zone 9a?

No — sweet potato is frost-sensitive. In zone 9a, wait until after the last frost (around Feb 28) to plant, and harvest before the first fall frost (around Nov 30).

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