Sweet Potato Plants, Covington (Free Shipping)

Released in 2005 by North Carolina State University and named after legendary sweet potato breeder Henry Covington, this university-bred variety now dominates nearly 90% of commercial production in North Carolina and is the top choice for home gardeners nationwide. Covington delivers heavy, uniform yields of gorgeous rose-skinned, deep-orange-fleshed roots with unbeatable sweetness, creamy texture, and exceptional storage life. Crack-resistant, disease-tolerant, and incredibly reliable, these are the sweetest, most trouble-free sweet potatoes you’ll ever grow.

Ships Early/Mid June

Why Grow Covington?

• Unmatched flavor – naturally super-sweet and moist; stays bright orange when baked or boiled
• Heavy, concentrated yields – several pounds per plant in average gardens
• Superior disease resistance – strong tolerance to fusarium wilt, root-knot nematodes, and soil rot
• Excellent keeper – stores for months in cool, dry conditions with minimal sprouting
• Crack-resistant roots – uniform, blocky shape that’s perfect for market or kitchen
• Forgiving and low-maintenance – holds in the ground longer without getting oversized or woody
• The industry standard – chosen by commercial growers for consistency and performance

Simple Growing Instructions:

• Plant after all danger of frost when soil temps reach 65°F+ (typically mid-to-late spring) (Need to hold them? let root in water or pot up till ready to plant outside)
• Choose full sun and loose, well-drained soil (pH 5.8–6.5); raised beds or sandy loam are ideal
• Space slips 10–18 inches apart in rows 3–4 feet apart
• Plant deep – bury roots and stem nodes 3–4 inches while keeping leaves above soil
• Water regularly (about 1 inch/week) until established, then moderately – Covington is fairly drought-tolerant once growing
• No hilling needed – roots set in easy-to-harvest bunches
• Harvest in 100–120 days when vines start yellowing, ideally just before first frost (roots can hold in ground an extra 10–15 days if needed)
• Cure roots 7–10 days at 80–85°F and high humidity, then store cool (55–60°F)

100% Non-GMO: Covington is a traditionally bred, university-developed variety – we proudly ship only certified virus-tested, non-GMO slips grown using organic practices.

Ships beginning of June as robust, bare-root slips ready to explode into growth. Order your Covington slips today and taste why this is America’s favorite sweet potato!