When to plant sweet potatoes in Indiana

Sweet potatoes
Plant out in Indianapolis
May 11–May 25

Across Indiana the window opens between April 19 and May 20. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Plant out, Indianapolis
May 11–May 25
Last sowing for a harvest
Jun 9
Last frost, Indianapolis
Apr 20

Plant out 3–5 weeks after the last frost. Set out slips when the soil is warm, around 65°F. They need a long, hot season.

Sweet potatoes planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
IndianapolisMay 11–May 25
Fort WayneMay 15–May 29
EvansvilleApr 19–May 3
CarmelMay 12–May 26
FishersMay 12–May 26
South BendMay 14–May 28
BloomingtonMay 6–May 20
NoblesvilleMay 12–May 26
HammondMay 14–May 28
LafayetteMay 17–May 31
GreenwoodMay 11–May 25
GaryMay 13–May 27
WestfieldMay 12–May 26
MuncieMay 7–May 21
KokomoMay 18–Jun 1
Terre HauteMay 6–May 20
AndersonMay 10–May 24
JeffersonvilleApr 21–May 5
ElkhartMay 17–May 31
ColumbusMay 2–May 16
MishawakaMay 14–May 28
LawrenceMay 9–May 23
West LafayetteMay 17–May 31
PortageMay 13–May 27
PlainfieldMay 3–May 17
New AlbanyApr 21–May 5
MerrillvilleMay 13–May 27
Crown PointMay 20–Jun 3
RichmondMay 15–May 29
ValparaisoMay 13–May 27
All 49 cities
CityPlant outLast frost
IndianapolisMay 11 to May 25Apr 20
Fort WayneMay 15 to May 29Apr 24
EvansvilleApr 19 to May 3Mar 29
CarmelMay 12 to May 26Apr 21
FishersMay 12 to May 26Apr 21
South BendMay 14 to May 28Apr 23
BloomingtonMay 6 to May 20Apr 15
NoblesvilleMay 12 to May 26Apr 21
HammondMay 14 to May 28Apr 23
LafayetteMay 17 to May 31Apr 26
GreenwoodMay 11 to May 25Apr 20
GaryMay 13 to May 27Apr 22
WestfieldMay 12 to May 26Apr 21
MuncieMay 7 to May 21Apr 16
KokomoMay 18 to Jun 1Apr 27
Terre HauteMay 6 to May 20Apr 15
AndersonMay 10 to May 24Apr 19
JeffersonvilleApr 21 to May 5Mar 31
ElkhartMay 17 to May 31Apr 26
ColumbusMay 2 to May 16Apr 11
MishawakaMay 14 to May 28Apr 23
LawrenceMay 9 to May 23Apr 18
West LafayetteMay 17 to May 31Apr 26
PortageMay 13 to May 27Apr 22
PlainfieldMay 3 to May 17Apr 12
New AlbanyApr 21 to May 5Mar 31
MerrillvilleMay 13 to May 27Apr 22
Crown PointMay 20 to Jun 3Apr 29
RichmondMay 15 to May 29Apr 24
ValparaisoMay 13 to May 27Apr 22
GoshenMay 17 to May 31Apr 26
BrownsburgMay 3 to May 17Apr 12
ZionsvilleMay 12 to May 26Apr 21
Michigan CityMay 10 to May 24Apr 19
GrangerMay 14 to May 28Apr 23
ScherervilleMay 14 to May 28Apr 23
HobartMay 13 to May 27Apr 22
MarionMay 17 to May 31Apr 26
FranklinMay 11 to May 25Apr 20
GreenfieldMay 10 to May 24Apr 19
East ChicagoMay 14 to May 28Apr 23
AvonMay 3 to May 17Apr 12
St. JohnMay 14 to May 28Apr 23
MunsterMay 14 to May 28Apr 23
HighlandMay 14 to May 28Apr 23
La PorteMay 10 to May 24Apr 19
SeymourMay 7 to May 21Apr 16
ClarksvilleApr 21 to May 5Mar 31
ShelbyvilleMay 8 to May 22Apr 17

Questions

When should I plant sweet potatoes in Indiana?

In Indianapolis, plant out from May 11 to May 25. Across Indiana the window opens between April 19 and May 20, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Plant out 3–5 weeks after the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for Indiana

Sweet potatoes in other states

Frost dates for every city in Indiana