Blog

When to Plant Sweet Potatoes in Bulloch County, GA

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.

Bulloch County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 262 days.

At an elevation of 333 feet, Bulloch County receives approximately 56.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sweet Potatoes during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Sweet Potatoes will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Sweet Potatoes root diseases.

Bulloch County, GA (Zone 8b) Long season
262 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
262 growing days
First Fall Frost November 23

Bulloch County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 5 Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 16 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Aug 27

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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Sweet Potatoes needs ~2,152 GDD — county provides 5,371 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Bulloch County, GA

Sweet Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 16 Jan 16 โ€“ Jan 30
Transplant Outdoors March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ Apr 3
Direct Sow March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Apr 3
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 โ€“ Aug 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February โ€”
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
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 8b

Growing Season

262 days

Growing Tips for Bulloch 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

  • Squash Summer

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sweet Potatoes in Bulloch County, GA?

Bulloch County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 6. Plan your Sweet Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bulloch County, GA?

Bulloch County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bulloch County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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