When to Plant Sweet Potatoes in Love County, OK
Your May game plan for Love County, Oklahoma
May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Love County, Oklahoma.
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Get sweet potatoes seeds going inside
These need a head start before your last frost (March 26). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.
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.
Love County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 230 days.
At an elevation of 821 feet, Love County receives approximately 24.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Sweet Potatoes during the growing season.
Love County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.3-7.3
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 Love County
How your county's soil matches Sweet Potatoes's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.3–7.3) is more alkaline than Sweet Potatoes prefers (5.5–6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Love County is excellent for Sweet Potatoes — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.1%) — Sweet Potatoes will thrive.
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 | — | 0.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 4.3" | 1.7" | 2.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Apr | 4.3" | 2.5" | 1.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 3.2" | 1.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 3.5" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 3.5" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 2.8" | 1.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 2.5" | 1.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 1.7" | 2.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | 4.3" | 0.8" | 3.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Dec | — | 0.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Love 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 — Love County, OK
Sweet Potatoes Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 5 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 9 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Direct Sow | April 2 | Apr 2 – Apr 23 |
| Harvest | July 9 | Jul 9 – Aug 27 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | — |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| 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: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8a
📆 Growing Season
230 days in Love County
Growing Tips for Sweet Potatoes in Love County
Direct sow Sweet Potatoes outdoors after March 26 in Love County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Love County receives only 24" of rain annually. Sweet Potatoes needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
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 Love County, OK?
Love County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Sweet Potatoes planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Love County, OK?
Love County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 11.
Your Love County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Love County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.