When to plant sweet potatoes in Wisconsin

Sweet potatoes
Plant out in Milwaukee
May 17–May 31

Across Wisconsin the window opens between May 10 and May 28. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Plant out, Milwaukee
May 17–May 31
Last sowing for a harvest
Jun 6
Last frost, Milwaukee
Apr 26

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
MilwaukeeMay 17–May 31
MadisonMay 22–Jun 5
Green BayMay 28–Jun 11
KenoshaMay 19–Jun 2
RacineMay 11–May 25
AppletonMay 25–Jun 8
Eau ClaireMay 15–May 29
WaukeshaMay 22–Jun 5
OshkoshMay 15–May 29
JanesvilleMay 17–May 31
West AllisMay 17–May 31
La CrosseMay 18–Jun 1
SheboyganMay 16–May 30
WauwatosaMay 17–May 31
Fond du LacMay 18–Jun 1
BrookfieldMay 21–Jun 4
Menomonee FallsMay 27–Jun 10
WausauMay 27–Jun 10
New BerlinMay 24–Jun 7
Sun PrairieMay 22–Jun 5
Oak CreekMay 13–May 27
GreenfieldMay 24–Jun 7
FranklinMay 24–Jun 7
BeloitMay 22–Jun 5
ManitowocMay 21–Jun 4
FitchburgMay 22–Jun 5
West BendMay 22–Jun 5
Mount PleasantMay 11–May 25
NeenahMay 25–Jun 8
SuperiorMay 27–Jun 10
All 43 cities
CityPlant outLast frost
MilwaukeeMay 17 to May 31Apr 26
MadisonMay 22 to Jun 5May 1
Green BayMay 28 to Jun 11May 7
KenoshaMay 19 to Jun 2Apr 28
RacineMay 11 to May 25Apr 20
AppletonMay 25 to Jun 8May 4
Eau ClaireMay 15 to May 29Apr 24
WaukeshaMay 22 to Jun 5May 1
OshkoshMay 15 to May 29Apr 24
JanesvilleMay 17 to May 31Apr 26
West AllisMay 17 to May 31Apr 26
La CrosseMay 18 to Jun 1Apr 27
SheboyganMay 16 to May 30Apr 25
WauwatosaMay 17 to May 31Apr 26
Fond du LacMay 18 to Jun 1Apr 27
BrookfieldMay 21 to Jun 4Apr 30
Menomonee FallsMay 27 to Jun 10May 6
WausauMay 27 to Jun 10May 6
New BerlinMay 24 to Jun 7May 3
Sun PrairieMay 22 to Jun 5May 1
Oak CreekMay 13 to May 27Apr 22
GreenfieldMay 24 to Jun 7May 3
FranklinMay 24 to Jun 7May 3
BeloitMay 22 to Jun 5May 1
ManitowocMay 21 to Jun 4Apr 30
FitchburgMay 22 to Jun 5May 1
West BendMay 22 to Jun 5May 1
Mount PleasantMay 11 to May 25Apr 20
NeenahMay 25 to Jun 8May 4
SuperiorMay 27 to Jun 10May 6
Stevens PointMay 25 to Jun 8May 4
MuskegoMay 24 to Jun 7May 3
De PereMay 21 to Jun 4Apr 30
CaledoniaMay 15 to May 29Apr 24
MequonMay 27 to Jun 10May 6
MiddletonMay 19 to Jun 2Apr 28
WatertownMay 19 to Jun 2Apr 28
HowardMay 28 to Jun 11May 7
Pleasant PrairieMay 10 to May 24Apr 19
GermantownMay 27 to Jun 10May 6
OnalaskaMay 14 to May 28Apr 23
South MilwaukeeMay 13 to May 27Apr 22
OconomowocMay 21 to Jun 4Apr 30

Questions

When should I plant sweet potatoes in Wisconsin?

In Milwaukee, plant out from May 17 to May 31. Across Wisconsin the window opens between May 10 and May 28, 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 Wisconsin

Sweet potatoes in other states

Frost dates for every city in Wisconsin