growing yams or sweet 'taters

[Anduril]

I like to have one little test plot in my garden each year and I am thinking of trying to grow some yams this summer.
Around here we can only count on maybe a 5 month frost free season; most of May, June, July, August and part of September.
Will that be long enough?
My regular spuds go in the ground in April. Sometimes the plant tips get frosted after they poke out a ways. I don't know if yams are less cold tolerant or not.
Thanks for your help.
..

[charles p]

In NC we grow sweet potatoes in the time frame you mentioned, although harvest is usually in October here.  Sweet potatoes are planted from slips (sprouts about 8 inches lond), and do well in sandy land.  The same land that produces good commercial cucumber production is often used for sweet potatoes.

[JBlk]

Don't plant your sweet potatoes until the chance of frost is over.One year I didn't get the tops of mine cut off before the frost and I lost the whole crop.

[Anduril]

I'm going to give it a try. Part of my garden is sandy and I can tent it with clear plastic to warm the soil quicker this spring.
Are those "slips" mentioned by Charles similar to "eyes" on regular seed potatoes?
I have never seen them growing, do the plants need something to climb on?
Thanks.
..

[burntmuch]

Nothing to add, just tagging along. Im planning on sweet potatoes this spring. So any info if welcome

Anduril hope ya dont mind a hitch hiker

[Cheesehead]

I plant half my garden in potatoes every year, usually Yukon Golds. I would like to try sweet potatoes since we are big fans.

Cheese

[blind ear]

I'm going to give it a try. Part of my garden is sandy and I can tent it with clear plastic to warm the soil quicker this spring.
Are those "slips" mentioned by Charles similar to "eyes" on regular seed potatoes?
I have never seen them growing, do the plants need something to climb on?
Thanks.
..

Slips are little green plants with roots that you set out to grow. The slips are started in green houses I believe. ear