Travis

Family: Convolvulaceae Root Vegetable

Sun-warmed orange flesh with a velvety, fine-grained bite defines Travis Orange Sweet Potato—sweet, fragrant, and richly colored from the first forkful.

The roots form with a smooth, coppery skin and a dependable, uniform shape, making them a standout for roasting and baking, as well as for velvety mashes and bright, spoonable sauces. Grow Travis for a harvest that feels like autumn in color, with texture that turns tender and luminous when cooked.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 110 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	May 9th
Harvest Begins	Aug 27th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	110
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	80
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Travis Orange Sweet Potato cooks up with a fine, velvety texture—more spoonable than fluffy—so it shines where you want a luminous purée or a roast that breaks down cleanly. Its candy-sweet aroma loves contrast: salt, acid (lime), and heat from pepper or smoky spice keep it from going one-note.

Best Uses

high-heat roasting for crisp edges and a soft, pudding-center bite
velvety mash that stays smooth without turning stringy
spoonable sweet-potato purée as the base for bright sauces or bowls
baking into tender cubes for sheet-pan harmony with salty fat

Flavor Profile

sweet, fragrant caramel notes velvety, fine-grained flesh orange-tinted richness with a gentle earthiness

Kitchen Pairings

smoked paprika cinnamon brown butter lime black pepper kosher salt

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato), and how can I control it?

A common problem is sweet potato weevil damage (larvae feed inside storage roots), which you’ll notice as tunnels and corky areas on harvested roots. Plant certified disease-free slips, avoid replanting in the same bed year after year, and remove/compost any infested roots promptly. If you spot wilting plants early, dig up and destroy affected plants to reduce spread; for any fungal leaf blights, keep foliage dry by watering at the soil line and spacing slips so leaves dry quickly.

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

During active vine growth, keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1–2 inches of water per week depending on heat and rainfall. Let the top 1–2 inches of soil dry slightly between waterings, then water deeply to encourage strong root expansion. Once roots are sizing up, reduce frequency to prevent split or poorly formed roots.

How do I know when my Ipomoea batatas is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 90–110 days after planting slips, typically when the vines start yellowing but before a hard frost. Carefully dig one or two “test” roots; they should have a firm skin and fill out their shape rather than feeling slender. On the main harvest day, cure freshly dug roots in warm, humid conditions for about 7–10 days to improve sweetness and storage quality.