When to plant sweet potato in North Carolina
North Carolina spans USDA zones 7a–8b, so the right time to plant sweet potato shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about April 5 in Goldsboro to May 23 in Boone — below are local dates for 96 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 8a | March 30 | November 3 | April 20 – May 4 |
| Raleigh | 8a | March 28 | November 8 | April 18 – May 2 |
| Greensboro | 8a | April 1 | November 4 | April 22 – May 6 |
| Durham | 8a | April 2 | November 4 | April 23 – May 7 |
| Winston-Salem | 8a | March 26 | November 9 | April 16 – April 30 |
| Fayetteville | 8a | March 30 | November 10 | April 20 – May 4 |
| Cary | 8a | March 27 | November 8 | April 17 – May 1 |
| Wilmington | 8b | March 19 | November 20 | April 9 – April 23 |
Sweet Potato in North Carolina: FAQ
When can I plant sweet potato in North Carolina?
Across North Carolina, the time to transplant sweet potato spans roughly April 5 in Goldsboro to May 23 in Boone, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the sweet potato planting date vary across North Carolina?
Yes. North Carolina publishes 96 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 North Carolina?
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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