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When to Plant Sweet Potato in Fortescue, New Jersey (08321)

Location

Fortescue, New Jersey

ZIP Code

08321

USDA Zone

7b

Last Frost

Sunday, April 5, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Sunday, April 5, 2026

Based on last frost Sunday, April 5, 2026 · Zone 7b

Pro tip: Sow Sweet Potato directly outdoors around your last frost date when soil starts to warm.

🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Ipomoea batatas
Days to Maturity 100 days
Mature Height 12-18"
Spread 36"
Type Vine
Fruit Size Medium-Large (6-12 oz per root)

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (8+ hours)

💧

Water

Moderate (reduce as harvest approaches)

↔️

Spacing

12" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

4" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 14-21 days

Ready to Plant Sweet Potato in Fortescue?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Sunday, April 5, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

OkraDillThyme

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

SquashSunflower
🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Sweet Potato

See which plants help Sweet Potato thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

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Common Sweet Potato Varieties

Popular cultivars to look for at your local nursery or seed supplier.

Beauregard

orange 90d

The most widely grown orange-fleshed sweet potato; high yields and excellent flavor.

Covington

orange 95d

Rich orange flesh with smooth skin and sweet flavor; excellent storage quality.

Stokes Purple

purple 120d

Deep purple flesh with high anthocyanin content; nutty, slightly dry texture.

Hannah

white 90d

Pale tan skin with cream-colored flesh; mild, less sweet flavor — like a cross with regular potato.

🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🪴 Vegetative propagation

Propagate vegetatively, not by seed

Sweet potatoes are propagated from "slips" — sprouts grown from a stored tuber, not from seed in typical gardens.

Store tubers at 55–60°F in a humid spot. In spring, place in shallow water to grow slips for planting.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 32 plants of Sweet Potato. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sweet Potato in Fortescue, New Jersey? +

In Fortescue (Zone 7b), direct sow Sweet Potato outdoors around Sunday, April 5, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Fortescue, New Jersey? +

The average last spring frost date for Fortescue, New Jersey (ZIP 08321) is around Sunday, April 5, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 7b.

How long does Sweet Potato take to grow? +

Sweet Potato typically matures in about 100 days from direct sowing. In Fortescue, that means you can expect harvest around Sunday, April 5, 2026 plus 100 days.

Should I start Sweet Potato indoors or direct sow in New Jersey? +

Sweet Potato does best when direct sown outdoors. In Fortescue, sow directly around Sunday, April 5, 2026.

Other Plants for Fortescue

Growing Sweet Potato in Zone 7b

Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a popular garden vegetable. In Fortescue, New Jersey, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b, you should direct sow seeds around Sunday, April 5, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Sunday, April 5, 2026. Sweet Potato grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.