How to Grow Sweet Potato 'Covington'
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Sweet Potato 'Covington'
Ipomoea batatas 'Covington'
vegetableCovington is a popular orange-fleshed sweet potato variety known for its excellent flavor, firm texture, and high beta-carotene content. This heat-loving vine produces abundant medium-to-large roots with smooth, copper-colored skin and vibrant orange flesh. It's a favorite for both home gardeners and commercial growers due to its consistent yields and long storage capability.
When should you plant Sweet Potato 'Covington' in your zone?
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Example Sweet Potato 'Covington' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Sweet Potato 'Covington'
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Sweet Potato 'Covington'
Around Jul 26≈ 100 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Sweet Potato 'Covington' dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 7b-10b; requires long, warm growing season (120+ frost-free days)
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Get my Sweet Potato 'Covington' timeline →Growth Stages
Slip Development & Planting
1-2 weeksRooted slips (small vine cuttings with roots) are planted into warm soil. Initial root establishment occurs with minimal visible vine growth.
Ensure soil temperature is at least 65°F (ideally 70°F+). Water gently after planting. Use disease-free slips to prevent root rot and viruses. Plant after last frost date.
Vine Establishment & Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksRapid vine and leaf growth with vigorous spreading runners. The plants develop an extensive root system and leaf canopy to shade the soil.
Water consistently and deeply. Maintain consistent soil moisture but avoid waterlogging. Mulch around plants to regulate soil temperature and conserve moisture. Minimal fertilizer needed; excessive nitrogen reduces root development.
Vine Maturation & Root Expansion
6-8 weeksVines continue spreading and covering the soil. Underground, roots begin developing tubers that will become the harvestable sweet potatoes. Continued leaf growth supports photosynthesis and root development.
Monitor for pests (flea beetles, sweet potato weevils). Manage vines if they overcrowd and shade neighboring plants. Maintain consistent watering. Do not cultivate or disturb soil around roots.
Tuber Enlargement & Root Maturation
3-4 weeksRoots swell significantly as carbohydrates accumulate. Covington tubers develop their characteristic orange color and firm flesh. Vines may show slight yellowing as plants transition to tuber-filling mode.
Gradually reduce watering frequency in final 3-4 weeks to concentrate sugars and harden skin. Avoid disturbing vines or digging near roots. Check irrigation to prevent cracking or splitting in wet conditions.
Harvest Readiness
Ready to harvestCovington tubers reach full maturity (3-4 inches in diameter). Skin hardens and develops its distinctive copper color. Vines may begin to decline as plants mature.
Harvest before first frost or when soil temperature drops below 55°F. Dig carefully to avoid bruising roots (they bruise easily when warm). Cure roots in a warm, humid location (80-85°F, 90-95% humidity) for 7-10 days before storage.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use certified disease-free slips; rotate crops; destroy infested roots immediately; traps with pheromones; avoid replanting sweet potatoes in same location for 3+ years
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Row covers on young plants; neem oil spray; diatomaceous earth; encourage natural predators
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Strong water spray to dislodge; neem oil or insecticidal soap; yellow sticky traps; reflective mulch
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Increase humidity; spray with water; neem oil; miticides if severe
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Crop rotation; remove debris; potato traps (sliced potatoes buried and checked weekly); beneficial nematodes
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Certified disease-free slips; crop rotation; soil solarization; resistant varieties
Uses
Roasting, Baking & Sweet Preparations
CulinaryCovington's firm, orange flesh and naturally high sugar content make it ideal for roasting, baking, and sweet dishes like sweet potato fries, casseroles, and pies. The flesh becomes creamier and sweeter when baked whole or cubed. [source]
Fresh Cooking & Savory Dishes
CulinaryThe Covington variety holds its shape well when cooked, making it suitable for mashing, curries, stir-fries, and soups. Its smooth texture works well in both sweet and savory applications. [source]
High Beta-Carotene & Antioxidants
MedicinalCovington sweet potatoes are exceptionally rich in beta-carotene (which converts to vitamin A), supporting eye health, immune function, and skin health. The orange flesh also contains polyphenols and other antioxidants that support overall wellness. [source]
Long-Term Storage & Food Security
HouseholdProperly cured Covington sweet potatoes store exceptionally well for 4-6 months in cool, humid conditions, making them valuable for extending fresh vegetable availability through winter months. [source]
Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeSweet potato vine flowers and foliage attract pollinators and beneficial insects. The sprawling vine canopy provides ground cover that supports soil health and beneficial arthropods. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest 100-120 days after planting, typically 3-4 weeks after vine tips are killed by frost or when soil temperature drops to 55°F. Dig carefully with a garden fork, working outward from the vine to avoid bruising. Harvested roots bruise easily when warm and fresh—handle gently. Cure roots at 80-85°F with 90-95% humidity for 7-10 days to heal minor cuts, harden skin, and convert starches to sugars for better flavor and storage life. Store cured roots at 55-60°F (not below 50°F) in a humid, dark location for up to 6 months.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Covington sweet potatoes were developed by breeding programs at North Carolina State University and have become one of the most widely grown commercial sweet potato varieties in the United States due to their consistent quality and disease resistance.
- 🌱 Despite being called a 'potato,' sweet potatoes are not related to common potatoes—they belong to the Convolvulaceae (morning glory) family and are actually perennial vines that produce underground tubers, while regular potatoes are in the Solanaceae nightshade family.
- 🌱 A single sweet potato plant can produce 6-12 medium-to-large tubers under optimal growing conditions, and the vines can grow up to 10 feet long if left unchecked, making them excellent for maximizing garden space efficiency.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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