How to Grow Sweet Potato 'Georgia Jet'

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Sweet Potato 'Georgia Jet'

Ipomoea batatas 'Georgia Jet'

vegetable

Georgia Jet is an early-maturing sweet potato variety prized for its deep orange flesh, excellent flavor, and adaptability to shorter growing seasons. It produces medium-sized tubers with red-purple skin and is one of the most reliable varieties for home gardeners. This cultivar matures 90-110 days from planting, making it suitable for cooler climates.

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Example Sweet Potato 'Georgia Jet' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Sweet Potato 'Georgia Jet'
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Sweet Potato 'Georgia Jet'
Around Jul 16

≈ 90 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Sweet Potato 'Georgia Jet' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum

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Water: Moderate and consistent watering; needs 1-1.5 inches per week. Reduce watering after mid-summer to encourage tuber development. Avoid waterlogging.

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Spacing: 12 inches

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Days to maturity: 90-110

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Planting depth: Plant slips 1-2 inches deep; plant seed potatoes 4 inches deep if starting from seed potatoes

Soil

Type: Well-draining, loose sandy loam soil

pH: 5.8-6.2

Amendments:

Aged compost Potassium-rich fertilizer Avoid excess nitrogen

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 7-11; can be grown in zone 6 with extended season techniques

7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a

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Growth Stages

Slip Development

3-4 weeks

Rooted slips develop 2-4 leaves and a small root system; ready for transplanting when 6-8 inches tall

Harden off slips by gradually exposing to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before transplanting. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Establishment

3-4 weeks

Newly transplanted slips develop a vigorous root system and begin foliage growth; vines spread across the ground

Water regularly for the first 2-3 weeks to establish roots. Provide consistent moisture without waterlogging. Mulch lightly to retain soil moisture.

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Extensive vine and foliage development with heart-shaped leaves spreading 2-3 feet. Minimal flowering occurs in most regions.

Ensure adequate spacing to prevent overcrowding. Keep weeds controlled. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers which promote excessive foliage. Monitor for pests.

Tuber Development

4-6 weeks

Underground tubers expand rapidly; sweet potatoes reach 4-6 inches in length. Vines continue spreading but growth slows.

Reduce watering frequency in late summer to encourage tuber sizing and sugar concentration. Avoid disturbing soil around plants. Continue pest monitoring.

Maturity & Harvest

Ready 90-110 days after planting

Tubers reach full size (4-6 inches); skin hardens and colors deepen. Vines may begin to yellow or decline.

Stop watering 2-3 weeks before harvest to allow skin to cure. Harvest before first frost when soil temperature drops below 55°F. Handle carefully to avoid bruising.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Beans Corn Squash Basil Thyme Nasturtium Marigold

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) Fennel Black walnuts

Common Pests

Use certified weevil-free slips; practice 3-year crop rotation; apply neem oil or spinosad; destroy infested tubers immediately
Use row covers on young plants; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; attract beneficial insects
Apply neem oil or pyrethrin; use floating row covers; plant trap crops like radish nearby
Hand-pick caterpillars; apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis); encourage parasitic wasps
Improve drainage; avoid wounding tubers during harvest and storage; store at 50-55°F with 85-90% humidity

Uses

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Roasted & Baked

Culinary

Georgia Jet's deep orange flesh and creamy texture make it ideal for roasting, baking, and mashing. The sweet, rich flavor pairs well with warm spices and is excellent for both savory and sweet preparations. [source]

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Nutritional Powerhouse

Culinary

Sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene (vitamin A), fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. Georgia Jet's deep orange color indicates high levels of carotenoids for eye and immune health. [source]

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Blood Sugar Management

Medicinal

Sweet potatoes have a lower glycemic index than regular potatoes and contain compounds that may help regulate blood sugar. The resistant starch in cooled sweet potatoes supports digestive health. [source]

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Long-Term Storage

Household

Georgia Jet stores exceptionally well when properly cured and kept at cool temperatures, remaining usable for 2-3 months. This makes it valuable for extending the harvest season into winter. [source]

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Foliage for Pollinators

Wildlife

While Georgia Jet rarely flowers in temperate zones, its extensive foliage provides shelter and habitat for beneficial insects including ground beetles and spiders that control pests. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Georgia Jet reaches maturity 90-110 days after planting. Harvest before the first frost when soil temperature drops below 55°F (typically late September to October in zone 8). Carefully dig with a garden fork, starting 12 inches from the plant center and working outward to avoid cutting tubers. Cure harvested sweet potatoes at 80-85°F with high humidity for 7-10 days before storage to harden the skin and heal minor cuts. Store in a cool, dark place at 50-55°F.

Fun Facts

🌱 Georgia Jet was developed at the University of Georgia and is named for its early maturity and the state where it was bred; it's one of the few sweet potato varieties that can successfully mature in cooler climates.
🌱 Sweet potatoes are not actually potatoes—they're members of the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae), making them botanically unrelated to the nightshade family potatoes belong to.
🌱 A single Georgia Jet slip (rooted vine cutting) can produce 1-2 pounds of harvestable tubers in optimal conditions, making them highly productive for home gardeners with limited space.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Full Sun Mulch Transplant

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