Growing Sweet Potatoes in Georgia

Georgia's long, hot summers make sweet potatoes an excellent home-garden crop. Unlike Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes are warm-season plants usually started from rooted plants called slips, not ordinary garden seed.

Georgia Sweet Potato Quick Facts

When to Plant Sweet Potatoes in Georgia

Sweet potatoes want warmth. UGA's statewide chart lists April 15–June 15. UGA's home-garden guidance adds useful regional detail: soil should reach about 70°F, which can occur around mid-April in South Georgia and in the first part of May in middle to North Georgia.

Sweet Potatoes Are Grown From Slips

This is one of the most important corrections for new growers. Sweet potatoes are generally grown from slips—rooted shoots produced from sweet potato roots. Healthy slips from a reliable source are much more practical for home gardeners than trying to start the crop from botanical seed.

Best Sweet Potato Varieties for Georgia

UGA's current statewide planting chart lists Centennial, Georgia Red, Giant Jet, Hernandes and Red Jewel. UGA home-garden guidance also discusses Beauregard, Centennial, Jewel, Porto Rico and Yellow Jersey. Choose based on maturity, soil, disease resistance, vine habit and the type of flesh you prefer.

Georgia Clay and Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes prefer loose, well-drained soil. UGA notes that unamended clay can produce small roots. In heavier Georgia soils, improve drainage and structure with aged compost or other organic amendments and consider raised rows or beds. Avoid waterlogged ground.

How to Plant and Grow Sweet Potatoes

When to Harvest Sweet Potatoes

Harvest timing depends on cultivar, planting date and weather. Dig carefully to avoid skinning or cutting the roots. Sweet potatoes are frost-sensitive, so don't leave the crop exposed to damaging cold simply to gain extra size.

Curing: The Step That Happens After Harvest

Freshly dug sweet potatoes benefit from curing under warm, humid conditions. Curing helps minor wounds heal and improves eating and storage quality. Handle roots gently—cuts and bruises reduce storage life.

Common Sweet Potato Problems in Georgia

Root-feeding insects, flea beetles, caterpillars and diseases can affect the crop. Start with healthy planting material, rotate the crop, scout foliage and roots, and avoid planting repeatedly in the same bed. Correctly identify a pest before selecting any treatment.

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Sweet Potato Recipes

    Roasted Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad
  • Ingredients:
    • 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
    • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
    • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
    • 2 tablespoons feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
    • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar or lemon juice
  • Instructions:
    • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
    • In a large bowl, toss sweet potato cubes and chickpeas with olive oil, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
    • Spread the mixture on a baking sheet in a single layer.
    • Roast in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until sweet potatoes are tender and chickpeas are crispy.
    • In a serving bowl, combine the roasted sweet potatoes and chickpeas with red onion, cilantro, and feta cheese.
    • Drizzle balsamic vinegar or lemon juice over the top.
    • Toss gently and serve warm.
    Maple Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Pecans
  • Ingredients:
    • 4 medium-sized sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced
    • 1/4 cup melted butter
    • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • Salt to taste
    • 1 cup pecans, chopped
    • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Instructions:
    • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
    • In a large bowl, toss sweet potato slices with melted butter, maple syrup, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt.
    • Spread the sweet potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet.
    • Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are tender, stirring once halfway through.
    • In the last 5 minutes of baking, sprinkle chopped pecans over the sweet potatoes.
    • Once done, transfer the sweet potatoes and pecans to a serving dish.
    • Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.

Keep Exploring Georgia's Garden

Continue with Georgia vegetables, our growing guides, seasonal produce and garden-to-kitchen recipes.

Georgia timing note: statewide planting dates are planning guides. Adjust for your county, elevation, frost dates and current weather.

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