Root Vegetable

When to Plant Sweet Potatoes in Georgia

Not related to regular potatoes at all. Sweet potatoes need heat and a long growing season but reward with incredible harvests.

The Short Answer

Georgia's long, hot growing season and varied soils make it excellent sweet potato territory. The crop thrives in the summer conditions that stress cool-season vegetables, producing continuously from May through October.

Georgia Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Georgia you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
North Georgia Mountains 6b, 7a Apr 5 - Apr 20 Oct 10 - Oct 25
Central Georgia 7b, 8a Mar 15 - Apr 1 Nov 1 - Nov 15
South Georgia 8a, 8b, 9a Feb 28 - Mar 15 Nov 10 - Nov 25

Sweet Potatoes Planting Schedule for Georgia

North Georgia Mountains (Zones 6b, 7a)

Average last frost: Apr 5 - Apr 20 · Average first frost: Oct 10 - Oct 25

Start Seeds Indoors
8 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
3 wks after frost

Central Georgia (Zones 7b, 8a)

Average last frost: Mar 15 - Apr 1 · Average first frost: Nov 1 - Nov 15

Start Seeds Indoors
8 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
3 wks after frost

South Georgia (Zones 8a, 8b, 9a)

Average last frost: Feb 28 - Mar 15 · Average first frost: Nov 10 - Nov 25

Start Seeds Indoors
8 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
3 wks after frost

Growing Sweet Potatoes in Georgia

State-Specific Growing Tips

Plant slips from mid-April (south Georgia) through mid-May (mountains). Georgia's sandy coastal plain soils are naturally ideal for sweet potatoes. Piedmont clay needs raised mounds with loose, amended soil. Sweet potatoes handle Georgia's summer heat and humidity without complaint — one of the few crops that actually improves with more heat. Harvest before first frost. Cure in warmth.

Recommended Varieties for Georgia

Beauregard (Georgia standard). Covington, Hernandez. UGA Extension provides variety recommendations. Georgia is a commercial sweet potato state — local expertise is readily available.

Common Challenges in Georgia

Sweet potato weevil in south Georgia. Wireworms. Nematodes in sandy soils. White grubs occasionally damage tubers.

Growing Tips

Grow from slips, not seeds. Start slips from a sweet potato in water 8 weeks before transplanting. Cure harvested tubers in warmth for 10 days.

Companion Planting

Plant sweet potatoes alongside these companions for better growth:

Beans Corn

Keep sweet potatoes away from:

Squash

The Bottom Line

Sweet Potatoes can be grown successfully in Georgia with proper attention to regional frost dates and local growing conditions. Timing varies across the state — North Georgia Mountains gardeners work with a last frost around Apr 5 - Apr 20, while South Georgia sees frost end around Feb 28 - Mar 15. Choose varieties suited to your region, amend your soil based on its specific needs, and monitor for the pests and diseases most common in your area. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Sweet Potatoes Growing Guide National planting guide with all states Georgia Planting Calendar All plants for Georgia Sweet Potatoes in Alabama Alabama planting dates Sweet Potatoes in Alaska Alaska planting dates Sweet Potatoes in Arizona Arizona planting dates Sweet Potatoes in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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