When to Plant Sweet Potatoes in Nevada
Not related to regular potatoes at all. Sweet potatoes need heat and a long growing season but reward with incredible harvests.
The Short Answer
Nevada Frost Dates
Your planting dates depend on which part of Nevada you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:
| Region | Zones | Last Frost (Spring) | First Frost (Fall) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Nevada (Reno) | 6b, 7a | May 1 - May 20 | Sep 25 - Oct 15 |
| Las Vegas | 8b, 9a, 9b | Feb 10 - Mar 5 | Nov 10 - Dec 1 |
| Mountain Nevada | 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b | May 25 - Jun 15 | Aug 25 - Sep 15 |
Sweet Potatoes Planting Schedule for Nevada
Northern Nevada (Reno) (Zones 6b, 7a)
Average last frost: May 1 - May 20 · Average first frost: Sep 25 - Oct 15
Las Vegas (Zones 8b, 9a, 9b)
Average last frost: Feb 10 - Mar 5 · Average first frost: Nov 10 - Dec 1
Mountain Nevada (Zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b)
Average last frost: May 25 - Jun 15 · Average first frost: Aug 25 - Sep 15
Growing Sweet Potatoes in Nevada
Sweet Potatoes in Nevada's Climate
Sweet potatoes are perfectly suited to subtropical conditions. Plant slips from February through April. Your sandy soils, long season, and warm temperatures are ideal. The main pest concern is sweet potato weevil in coastal and Gulf areas. Otherwise, sweet potatoes are one of the most reliable crops in your zone.
Soil Considerations for Nevada
Desert soils — alkaline, low organic matter. Extremely dry. Heavy amendment essential. Irrigation required. Loose, well-drained soil is especially important for sweet potatoes since the edible portion grows underground. If your soil is heavy clay, consider raised beds.
Nevada Climate & Growing Season
Arid climate. Extreme heat in summer (Las Vegas). Short season at altitude. Very low humidity. Water conservation critical. Sweet Potatoes cannot tolerate any frost, so wait until all frost danger has passed before transplanting outside. Watch local forecasts carefully in spring.
Growing season length varies across Nevada: Northern Nevada (Reno) (6b, 7a) has a last frost around May 1 - May 20, while Mountain Nevada (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b) sees frost end around May 25 - Jun 15. This difference matters for sweet potatoes — transplant timing shifts by several weeks across the state.
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:
Keep sweet potatoes away from:
The Bottom Line
Last reviewed: March 29, 2026