When To Plant Sweet Potatoes In Texas

If you’re planning your Texas garden, knowing when to plant sweet potatoes is the first step to a great harvest. This guide will walk you through the optimal planting season for every region in the state.

Sweet potatoes are a fantastic crop for Texas. They thrive in our long, hot summers and are relatively low-maintenance once established. Getting the timing right is crucial, as they need plenty of warm days to develop those tasty roots.

The best time to plant sweet potatoes in Texas is after the last spring frost, when soil temperatures have reliably warmed up. For most areas, this falls between late April and early June. Planting too early in cold soil will stunt growth or cause the slips to rot.

Because Texas has several distinct climate zones, the ideal window varies. Let’s break it down by region so you can pinpoint your perfect planting date.

Texas Planting Dates by Region

Texas is big, and its gardening calendars are just as varied. Use this regional guide as your starting point.

Central Texas (Austin, San Antonio, Hill Country): Aim for early May to early June. The soil warms up nicely by then, providing ideal conditions.
North Texas (Dallas, Fort Worth): Plant from mid-May to mid-June. Wait until nightime temperatures are consistantly above 50°F.
East Texas (Tyler, Longview): Late April through May is your window. This region’s humidity is actually beneficial for sweet potatoes.
South Texas (Corpus Christi, Lower Rio Grande Valley): You have the longest season. Planting can often begin in late March or April and extend into July.
West Texas (Lubbock, Midland-Odessa): Target late May through June. The arid climate means you’ll need to pay closer attention to irrigation.

Why Soil Temperature Matters Most

While calendar dates are helpful, soil temperature is the ultimate guide. Sweet potato slips need warm soil to kickstart their root growth.

You should wait until the soil at a 4-inch depth is at least 65°F. A soil thermometer is a small investment that makes a huge difference. For the best growth, aim for soil temperatures between 70°F and 80°F.

If you plant into cold soil, the plants will just sit there and struggle. They become vulnerable to disease and may never fully recover. Patience truly pays off with this crop.

Preparing Your Garden Bed

Sweet potatoes prefer loose, well-draining soil. They don’t do well in heavy, compacted clay. Here’s how to get your bed ready.

Choose a Sunny Spot: Select a location that gets full sun—at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Loosen the Soil: Till or dig the area to a depth of 10-12 inches. Break up any large clods.
Amend the Soil: If you have heavy soil, mix in several inches of compost. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which promote leafy growth instead of roots.
Create Mounds or Rows: Form raised rows about 8-10 inches high. This improves drainage and warms the soil faster, which is a key trick for a good yield.

How to Plant Sweet Potato Slips

You don’t plant seeds; you plant “slips,” which are small rooted sprouts. You can buy them or grow your own from a saved sweet potato. Here’s the planting process.

Harden Off Slips: If your slips were grown indoors or shipped, acclimate them to outdoor sun for a few days.
Space Them Out: Plant slips 12 to 18 inches apart within a row. Space the rows about 3 to 4 feet apart, as the vines will spread widely.
Plant Deeply: Bury the slip so that the rooted portion and about half of the stem are under the soil. Remove the lower leaves and bury the nodes, as roots will form from these points.
Water Thoroughly: After planting, give them a good drink to settle the soil and reduce transplant shock.

Caring for Your Growing Sweet Potatoes

Once planted, sweet potatoes need minimal but specific care. They are drought-tolerant but produce better with consistent moisture, especially early on.

Watering: Water regularly for the first few weeks. After establishment, water deeply once a week if there’s no rain. Reduce watering in the last 3-4 weeks before harvest to improve flavor and prevent splitting.
Weeding: Weed carefully early in the season. Once the vines spread and cover the ground, they will naturally suppress most weeds.
Fertilizing: Go easy on fertilizer. A side dressing of a low-nitrogen, potassium-rich fertilizer (like a 5-10-10 blend) about a month after planting is usually sufficient.

When to Harvest in Texas

Your planting date dictates your harvest. Sweet potatoes need 90 to 120 frost-free days to mature. In Texas, this typically means a fall harvest.

Most varieties are ready when the leaves start to yellow, usually around the time of your first expected fall frost. However, you can often harvest from late September through November.

Use a garden fork to carefully lift the tubers. Be gentle, as their skins are tender at harvest. It’s better to harvest a little early if a hard frost is forecasted, as frost can damage the roots.

Curing and Storing Your Harvest

This final step is essential for sweet, storable potatoes. Freshly dug sweet potatoes need to be cured to heal any nicks and convert starches to sugars.

Cure: Place the unwashed roots in a warm (80-85°F), humid place for 10 to 14 days. A shaded porch or a warm room works well.
Store: After curing, store them in a cool (55-60°F), dark, and well-ventilated place. Do not refrigerate them, as cold temperatures can ruin their flavor and texture. Properly cured sweet potatoes can last for several months.

Common Problems and Solutions

Even in Texas, you might encounter a few issues. Here’s how to handle common problems.

Root Rot: Caused by cold, wet soil at planting. The solution is simple: wait for warmer soil temps.
Sweet Potato Weevils: A serious pest in some areas. Use certified disease-free slips and practice crop rotation. If you see them, destroy infected plants immediately.
Scorched Leaves: In the intense Texas summer sun, leaves might get scorched. Ensure they have adequate water, but this is usually a cosmetic issue that doesn’t significantly harm the roots.

FAQ: Planting Sweet Potatoes in Texas

Can I plant sweet potatoes from the grocery store?
You can try, but it’s not recommended. Store-bought potatoes are often treated to prevent sprouting and could introduce disease to your garden. It’s safer to buy slips from a reputable nursery or garden center.

What are the best sweet potato varieties for Texas heat?
Excellent choices for our climate include ‘Beauregard’ (reliable and fast-maturing), ‘Centennial’ (heat-tolerant), and ‘Georgia Jet’ (good for shorter seasons in North Texas). ‘Vardaman’ is a bush-type good for smaller spaces.

How long does it take for sweet potatoes to grow?
Plan on 90 to 120 days from planting the slip to harvest. The exact time depends on the variety and your local growing conditions during the season.

Can I plant sweet potatoes in containers?
Yes, you can! Use a large container (at least 20 gallons) with excellent drainage. Choose a compact or bush variety and use a light, well-draining potting mix. Watering needs will be more frequent in pots.

Is it to late to plant in July?
In South and Central Texas, a July planting might still yield a small harvest if you have a long fall. In North Texas, July is likely too late, as the plants won’t mature before the first frost. It’s generally better to aim for the prime spring window.

By following this guide and ajusting for your specific Texas region, you’ll be on your way to a successful harvest of homegrown sweet potatoes. The key is warm soil, plenty of sun, and a little patience while those delicious roots develop underground.