Grow Sweet Potatoes: Tips and Tricks for a Bountiful Harvest

Are you looking to grow your own sweet potatoes but don't know where to start? Sweet potatoes are not only delicious and nutritious, but they are also easy to grow in your own backyard. In this article, we'll give you tips and tricks for growing sweet potatoes that will help you achieve a bountiful harvest.

Choosing the Right Variety

The first step to growing sweet potatoes is choosing the right variety. There are two main types of sweet potatoes: vining and bush. Vining sweet potatoes produce long vines that can spread up to 20 feet, while bush sweet potatoes have a more compact growth habit. If you have limited space, bush sweet potatoes may be a better option for you.

When selecting a variety, consider your climate and the length of your growing season. Some varieties are more suited to cooler regions, while others require a longer growing season. Be sure to choose a variety that is well-suited to your climate and growing conditions.

Preparing the Soil

Sweet potatoes prefer loose, well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Before planting, prepare the soil by tilling it to a depth of at least 8 inches. Incorporate compost or aged manure into the soil to improve its fertility and water-holding capacity.

Sweet potatoes also require a slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.5. Test your soil's pH level using a soil testing kit, and adjust it if necessary by adding lime to raise the pH or sulfur to lower it.

Planting Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are typically grown from slips, which are small rooted shoots that develop on sweet potato tubers. You can purchase slips from a garden center or online, or you can grow your own by sprouting sweet potato tubers.

To grow your own slips, place sweet potato tubers in a warm, humid location, such as a greenhouse or sunny windowsill. After a few weeks, small sprouts will emerge from the tubers. Once the sprouts are about 4 to 6 inches long, gently twist them off the tuber and plant them in the soil, leaving just the top few leaves above ground.

When planting slips, space them about 12 to 18 inches apart in rows that are about 3 feet apart. Plant them in well-draining soil, and water thoroughly after planting.

Caring for Sweet Potatoes

Keep sweet potatoes well-watered throughout the growing season, but be careful not to overwater. Overwatering can lead to rot and disease. Mulching around the plants can help retain moisture in the soil.

Fertilize sweet potatoes with a balanced fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks throughout the growing season. Avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen, which can promote leafy growth at the expense of tuber production.

As the plants grow, gently mound soil around the base of the vines to promote the development of more tubers. This process is known as hilling, and it helps to keep the developing tubers covered and protected from sunlight.

Harvesting Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are ready to harvest when the leaves begin to yellow and die back, typically 100 to 150 days after planting. Carefully dig up the tubers with a garden fork, being careful not to damage them.

Cure sweet potatoes by placing them in a warm, humid location for a week or two. This will toughen the skin and help to prevent rot during storage. Sweet potatoes can be stored in a cool, dry location for several months.

A bountiful harvest of sweet potatoes

Growing sweet potatoes is a rewarding experience that anyone can enjoy. By choosing the right variety, preparing the soil, and caring for the plants properly, you can achieve a bountiful harvest of delicious and nutritious sweet potatoes. So why not give it a try?

Sweet potato slips, organic gardening, growing vegetables, root crops, container gardening