Blog

When to Plant Sweet Potatoes in Dewey County, OK

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.

Dewey County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 745 feet, Dewey County receives approximately 28.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sweet Potatoes during the growing season.

Dewey County, OK (Zone 7a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Dewey County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Sep 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Sep 30

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 794 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Sweet Potatoes needs ~2,074 GDD — county provides 3,831 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Dewey County, OK

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 7a

Growing Season

194 days

Growing Tips for Dewey 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 Dewey County, OK?

Dewey County is in Zone 7a 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 Dewey County, OK?

Dewey County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Dewey County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Dewey County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.