Field guide
How to grow sweet potatoes: planting, care, and harvest guide
Sweet Potatoes typically reaches first harvest in 90–140 days. This guide covers when to plant by USDA zone, common pests, harvest cues, and companion plants where relevant.
Open plannerWhen to plant sweet potatoes by USDA zone group
- USDA Zones 1–4 — May
- USDA Zones 5–6 — May to June
- USDA Zones 7–8 — April to June
- USDA Zones 9–10 — March to June
- USDA Zones 11–13 — February to July
Companion plants
Good companions: Lettuce, Onions, Peas
Harvest
When to pick
- The root shoulder has reached the expected mature width
- Foliage is healthy before hard stress or bolting
How: Loosen the surrounding soil first, then lift from below to avoid snapping the root.
Storage: Trim tops and cure only when appropriate for the crop. Refrigerate tender roots.
Common pests and problems
Root maggots and wireworms
Signs: Wilting tops or small tunnels in roots
Control: Rotate crops, use clean seed beds, and protect young plants with insect netting where these pests are common.
About this field guide
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