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When to Plant Sweet Potatoes in Hocking County, OH

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.

Hocking County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 181 days.

At an elevation of 1,354 feet, Hocking County receives approximately 37.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sweet Potatoes during the growing season.

Hocking County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
181 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
181 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Hocking County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Sep 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Sep 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Aug 22 – Oct 10

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
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 198 gal / 100 sq ft
Sweet Potatoes needs ~1,444 GDD — county provides 2,488 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Hocking County, OH

Sweet Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 12
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 21
Direct Sow April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 21
Harvest August 6 Aug 6 โ€“ Sep 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July โ€”
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

181 days

Growing Tips for Hocking 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 Hocking County, OH?

Hocking County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Sweet Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hocking County, OH?

Hocking County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hocking 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 Hocking County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.