Evangeline

Family: Convolvulaceae Root Vegetable

Evangeline bursts with a velvety, sunset-orange interior that feels almost luminous against the soil—sweet, rich, and deeply aromatic from the first bite.

The roots develop a smooth, tapered silhouette with a tender, moist texture that’s ideal for roasting and mashing, and it shines in hearty sauces and velvety purées. Grow Evangeline for a dependable 90-day harvest that brings bold color and comforting sweetness to your home garden.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Vine

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	80
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Evangeline’s orange interior cooks up velvety and plush—sweet enough to stand up to spice and acid without tasting cloying. Roast it hard for caramelized edges, then mash or purée with fat and a hit of citrus to wake up that aromatic, starchy comfort.

Best Uses

roasting for browned edges with a creamy center
mashing into a silken, butter-forward purée
slow-simmering into velvety soups and chowders
baking into thick wedges that caramelize without drying out

Flavor Profile

deep caramel-sweetness velvety, moist flesh that mashes smooth warm aromatic earthiness gentle starchy thickness

Kitchen Pairings

brown butter cinnamon lime or orange zest smoked paprika black pepper goat cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato), and what should I do?

Watch for sweet potato weevil/borer injury and for fungal slip blight when vines are wet. Remove and destroy heavily damaged roots or cuttings, then rotate out of Convolvulaceae for several years and keep leaves as dry as possible by watering at the soil line. If you see rapid leaf spotting or blight spreading, improve airflow between plants and remove infected vine sections promptly to slow spread.

How often should I water Ipomoea batatas during its main growing phase?

After slips are established, water to keep the top 2–3 in (5–8 cm) of soil evenly moist, then let the surface dry slightly between waterings to avoid root rots. In warm weather, this often means deep watering about 1–2 times per week, with more frequent watering for sandy soils and less for clay. Stop regular watering 10–14 days before harvest so skins cure and roots store better.

How can I tell when Ipomoea batatas is ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants reach about 90 days from planting and several leaves start to yellow naturally, but do not wait until the vines fully die back in cool, wet weather. For the best cue, gently check root size by lifting a small section of soil—roots should feel well-formed and fill the row. If nights are falling near frost, harvest immediately to prevent chilling damage, then cure the roots for storage.