When to plant sweet potato in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania spans USDA zones 5b–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 20 in Philadelphia to June 5 in Hermitage — below are local dates for 86 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 7b | March 30 | November 17 | April 20 – May 4 |
| Pittsburgh | 6b | April 18 | October 28 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Allentown | 7a | April 20 | October 24 | May 11 – May 25 |
| Reading | 7a | April 14 | October 29 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Erie | 7a | April 26 | November 4 | May 17 – May 31 |
| Bethlehem | 7a | April 20 | October 24 | May 11 – May 25 |
| Scranton | 6b | April 23 | October 20 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Lancaster | 7a | April 19 | October 24 | May 10 – May 24 |
Sweet Potato in Pennsylvania: FAQ
When can I plant sweet potato in Pennsylvania?
Across Pennsylvania, the time to transplant sweet potato spans roughly April 20 in Philadelphia to June 5 in Hermitage, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the sweet potato planting date vary across Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania publishes 86 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 Pennsylvania?
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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