When to Plant Sweet Potatoes in Union County, IN
Your May game plan for Union County, Indiana
A quick May briefing for Union County, Indiana gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
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Set out sweet potatoes seedlings
Your last frost (April 25) has passed. These warm-season crops can handle outdoor soil now.
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Outdoor sowing time: sweet potatoes
Your soil is 65°F — warm enough for these to germinate without babying.
To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
- Starting indoors: sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a warm-season root crop that produces nutritious, sweet tubers in orange, white, and purple varieties. They need a long, hot growing season.
Union County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.
At an elevation of 506 feet, Union County receives approximately 33.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Sweet Potatoes during the growing season.
Union County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.7-7.2
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.
Soil Compatibility in Union County
How your county's soil matches Sweet Potatoes's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.7–7.2) overlaps with Sweet Potatoes's range (5.5–6.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Union County is excellent for Sweet Potatoes — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Sweet Potatoes.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.1%) — Sweet Potatoes will thrive.
How to Plant Sweet Potatoes
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Sweet Potatoes Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3" | 1.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 4.3" | 3.6" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 3.1" | 1.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 3.3" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 2.9" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Union County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Sweet Potatoes Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Sweet Potatoes Planting Timeline — Union County, IN
Sweet Potatoes Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 28 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 9 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Direct Sow | May 2 | May 2 – May 23 |
| Harvest | August 8 | Aug 8 – Sep 26 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | — |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
90–120 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–6.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
175 days in Union County
Growing Tips for Sweet Potatoes in Union County
Direct sow Sweet Potatoes outdoors after April 25 in Union County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
General growing tips
Plant slips (rooted sprouts) after soil is thoroughly warm. Build raised mounds for better root development. Cure harvested roots at 80-85F for 10 days to develop sweetness.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Sweet Potatoes in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Sweet Potatoes in Union County, IN?
Union County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Sweet Potatoes planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Union County, IN?
Union County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 17.
Your Union County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Union County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.