When to plant sweet potatoes in Raleigh, North Carolina
April 11 – April 25
Transplant outdoors · typical Raleigh yearClimate basis: NOAA station Raleigh State Univ, NC (USC00317079), 4 mi (6 km) from downtown Raleigh (ZCTA 27601 centroid), elevation 400 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Plant sweet potato slips from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (March 28). One year in ten still freezes after April 12.
The Raleigh year
- indoors under lights
- in the garden
- frost-free season
- 1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 12
Every method, with its sources
Transplant outdoors
Apr 11 – Apr 25Purdue: very tender (vegetatively propagated) — plant slips at least two weeks after the average last frost. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Mar 28). Purdue University Extension
Start seeds indoors
Not calculatedThe cited extension guides do not time an indoor seed-starting window for this crop.
Direct-sow outdoors
Not calculatedSweet potatoes are grown from slips, not seed.
Fall planting
Not calculatedNo source-backed fall planting rule exists for this crop in the registry, so no fall window is calculated.
Variety assumption: Assumes an average variety (about 100–120 days of warm weather from slips).
These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.
Crop rule sources (1)
- Purdue University Extension: Indiana Vegetable Planting Calendar (HO-186-W) (accessed 2026-07-24)Hardiness classes: hardy = plant 4-6 wk before last spring frost; semi-hardy = 2-4 wk before; tender = after average last frost; very tender = at least 2 wk after. Table 2: fall planting at least 4-8 wk before first fall frost.