When to Plant Sweet Potatoes in Caddo Parish, LA
Caddo Parish, Louisiana gardeners: here's your May plan
Your garden in Caddo Parish, Louisiana is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
-
Fire up the seed-starting tray: sweet potatoes
You're about 27 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.
Looking ahead to June
- First harvests: 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.
Caddo Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost is November 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 246 days.
At an elevation of 446 feet, Caddo Parish receives approximately 49 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Sweet Potatoes during the growing season.
Caddo Parish Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
5.8-7
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 Caddo Parish
How your county's soil matches Sweet Potatoes's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.8–7.0) overlaps with Sweet Potatoes's range (5.5–6.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Caddo Parish is excellent for Sweet Potatoes — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Sweet Potatoes.
How to Plant Sweet Potatoes
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
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 | — | 3.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 4.3" | 5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3.9" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 3.8" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 5.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 4" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 2.9" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Caddo Parish). 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 — Caddo Parish, LA
Sweet Potatoes Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 23 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 27 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Direct Sow | March 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 10 |
| Harvest | June 26 | Jun 26 – Aug 14 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
90–120 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–6.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8b
📆 Growing Season
246 days in Caddo Parish
Growing Tips for Sweet Potatoes in Caddo Parish
Direct sow Sweet Potatoes outdoors after March 13 in Caddo Parish 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 Caddo Parish, LA?
Caddo Parish is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 13. Plan your Sweet Potatoes planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Caddo Parish, LA?
Caddo Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 13 and first fall frost is November 14.
Your Caddo Parish Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Caddo Parish (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.