When to Plant Sweet Potatoes in Cape Girardeau County, MO
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.
Cape Girardeau County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.
At an elevation of 880 feet, Cape Girardeau County receives approximately 38 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Sweet Potatoes during the growing season.
Cape Girardeau County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Drainage
Well Drained
Sweet Potatoes Planting Timeline — Cape Girardeau County, MO
Sweet Potatoes Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 20 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 24 | Apr 24 – May 8 |
| Direct Sow | April 17 | Apr 17 – May 8 |
| Harvest | July 24 | Jul 24 – Sep 11 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
📅 Days to Maturity
90–120 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–6.5 · Your soil: N/A
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7a
📆 Growing Season
194 days in Cape Girardeau County
Growing Tips for Cape Girardeau County
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 Cape Girardeau County, MO?
Cape Girardeau County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Sweet Potatoes planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Cape Girardeau County, MO?
Cape Girardeau County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 21.
Your Cape Girardeau County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Cape Girardeau County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.