When to Plant Sweet Potatoes in Tennessee
Not related to regular potatoes at all. Sweet potatoes need heat and a long growing season but reward with incredible harvests.
The Short Answer
Tennessee Frost Dates
Your planting dates depend on which part of Tennessee you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:
| Region | Zones | Last Frost (Spring) | First Frost (Fall) |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Tennessee | 6a, 6b, 7a | Apr 5 - Apr 25 | Oct 10 - Oct 25 |
| Middle Tennessee | 6b, 7a | Apr 5 - Apr 20 | Oct 15 - Nov 1 |
| West Tennessee | 7a, 7b | Mar 25 - Apr 10 | Oct 20 - Nov 5 |
Sweet Potatoes Planting Schedule for Tennessee
East Tennessee (Zones 6a, 6b, 7a)
Average last frost: Apr 5 - Apr 25 · Average first frost: Oct 10 - Oct 25
Middle Tennessee (Zones 6b, 7a)
Average last frost: Apr 5 - Apr 20 · Average first frost: Oct 15 - Nov 1
West Tennessee (Zones 7a, 7b)
Average last frost: Mar 25 - Apr 10 · Average first frost: Oct 20 - Nov 5
Growing Sweet Potatoes in Tennessee
Sweet Potatoes in Tennessee's Climate
Sweet potatoes thrive in your climate. The long, warm growing season gives them all the time and heat they need. Plant slips from April and enjoy one of the easiest, most productive crops available in warm zones. Sweet potatoes are remarkably drought-tolerant once established — they handle dry spells better than most vegetables.
Soil Considerations for Tennessee
Clay soils over limestone in Middle Tennessee. Rich river bottom soils in west. Rocky mountain soils in east. 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.
Tennessee Climate & Growing Season
Mild four-season climate. Hot, humid summers. Adequate rainfall. Good growing season for wide variety of crops. 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 Tennessee: East Tennessee (6a, 6b, 7a) has a last frost around Apr 5 - Apr 25, while West Tennessee (7a, 7b) sees frost end around Mar 25 - Apr 10. 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