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When to Plant Sweet Potatoes in Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK

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.

Prince of Wales-Hyder, Alaska is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 202 days.

At an elevation of 257 feet, Prince of Wales-Hyder receives approximately 14.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 70ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Sweet Potatoes to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Sweet Potatoes successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK (Zone 7b) Long season
202 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
202 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Prince of Wales-Hyder Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Sep 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Oct 2

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.3″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 720 gal / 100 sq ft
Sweet Potatoes needs ~262 GDD — county provides 505 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK

Sweet Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 9
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 11
Harvest July 27 Jul 27 โ€“ Sep 14

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 6.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

202 days

Growing Tips for Prince of Wales-Hyder

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

  • Squash Summer

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sweet Potatoes in Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK?

Prince of Wales-Hyder is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Sweet Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK?

Prince of Wales-Hyder, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Prince of Wales-Hyder gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.