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When to Plant Sweet Potatoes in Lawrence County, IN

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.

Lawrence County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 845 feet, Lawrence County receives approximately 32.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sweet Potatoes during the growing season.

Lawrence County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Lawrence County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Sep 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Oct 1

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 505 gal / 100 sq ft
Sweet Potatoes needs ~1,601 GDD — county provides 2,928 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Lawrence County, IN

Sweet Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
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 6a

Growing Season

192 days

Growing Tips for Lawrence 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 Lawrence County, IN?

Lawrence County is in Zone 6a 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 Lawrence County, IN?

Lawrence County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lawrence County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Lawrence County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.