When to plant sweet potato in Kentucky
Kentucky spans USDA zones 6b–7b, so the right time to plant sweet potato shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about April 21 in Shively to May 22 in Shelbyville — below are local dates for 46 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County metro government | 7a | April 6 | November 1 | April 27 – May 11 |
| Lexington-Fayette urban county | 7a | April 13 | October 28 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Bowling Green | 7a | April 5 | October 31 | April 26 – May 10 |
| Owensboro | 7a | April 2 | November 1 | April 23 – May 7 |
| Covington | 6b | April 16 | October 25 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Georgetown | 6b | April 18 | October 23 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Richmond | 7a | April 15 | October 22 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Florence | 6b | April 18 | October 25 | May 9 – May 23 |
Sweet Potato in Kentucky: FAQ
When can I plant sweet potato in Kentucky?
Across Kentucky, the time to transplant sweet potato spans roughly April 21 in Shively to May 22 in Shelbyville, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the sweet potato planting date vary across Kentucky?
Yes. Kentucky publishes 46 cities with their own frost dates, so the right sweet potato planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does sweet potato take to grow in Kentucky?
Sweet Potato takes about 90–120 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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