Growing Sweet Potatoes in Zone 8A

Sweet potatoes need heat and a long season but are incredibly productive and nutritious.

Zone 8A enjoys a long growing season. You can often get two plantings of cool-season crops (spring and fall).

Top Growing Tips

• Grow from slips (sprouts), not seed — order or start your own
• Needs 90-120 frost-free days with warm soil
• Black plastic mulch warms soil in cooler zones
• Harvest before first frost — cold damages tubers
• Cure at 80-85°F for 10 days for sweetest flavor and best storage

Companion Planting

Good companions: beans, corn, thyme

Avoid planting near: squash (compete for space)

Harvest Timeline

90-120 days from slips

About Zone 8A

USDA Hardiness Zone 8A has an average last spring frost around Mar 20 and first fall frost around Nov 10. All planting dates above are calculated from these frost dates. Your specific location may vary — check with your local extension office for the most accurate dates.