• Sweeet potatoes are well suited to North Carolina weather.sweet potato image by steveinnz from Fotolia.com
  
  The weather in North Carolina is subtropical and humid and allows for the optimal growth of a number of warm-season vegetables such as tomatoes and beans. The winters in the state are short and mild and hence create a longer growing season. The mild transitional fall weather creates the perfect environment for growing cool-season crops like spinach and lettuce.
  
  

Sweet Potatoes

• Sweet potatoes are among the tropical vegetables that typically grow very well in long, hot summers. The vegetables also do very well in regions with 150 frost-free days and are well suited for the North Carolina weather. Sweet potatoes are low-maintenance and nutritious vegetables. Start sweet potato sprouts at least four weeks before the warm weather sets in, when nighttime temperatures are around 60 degrees F. Plant sprouts in a well-drained, sandy loam soil; sweet potatoes grow better in sandy loam than in heavier clay soil. Sweet potato roots start to form about four weeks after planting, and the vegetables are ready to harvest 90 to 120 days later. Harvest carefully, as the vegetables are thin skinned.
  
  

Collards

• Collards are a popular vegetable in the South.collard greens leaf texture image by Jo?¡êo Freitas from Fotolia.com
  
  Collards are among the most popular cool-season vegetables in the South and do best in early fall or spring. The vegetables tolerate some frost and medium levels of freeze. The vegetable grows easily in any soil but grows optimally in fertile, well-drained, heavy loam. Fertilize collards regularly with high-nitrogen fertilizer for strong green color and tender leaves. Collard varieties recommended for North Carolina include Georgia Southern, Blue Max, Heavi Crop and Carolina Improved Heading. Water collards liberally and regularly, as the vegetable has a high water requirement.
  
  

Tomatoes

• Tomatoes grow well in North Carolina's long, hot growing season.tomatoes image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
  
  Tomatoes are among the most popular garden vegetables but require long, hot growing seasons to produce well. Some recommended varieties for North Carolina include Better Boy, Whopper, Celebrity and Mountain Pride. Whopper, Celebrity and Better Boy varieties perform exceptionally well due to their resistance to fusarium and verticillium wilts and root knot nematodes. Plant tomatoes in the best quality soil and add fertilizer and lime as needed. Cage or stake the plants for support. Even though staking has shown to produce larger tomatoes, the quantity is reduced as compared to the plants that are caged. Tomatoes require ample irrigation during active growth. Add mulch such as composted leaves and wheat straw to retain moisture during peak summer.