How to Plant Sweet Potatoes: StepbyStep Gardening Guide
How to Plant Sweet Potatos?
To plant sweet potatoes, start by preparing the soil.
Create long, wide ridges spaced 3½ feet apart.
The soil should be well-drained, loose, and rich in organic matter.
Next, obtain sweet potato slips from nurseries or mail-order suppliers.
Plant the slips outdoors three to four weeks after the last spring frost, burying them up to the top leaves in planting holes that are 6 inches deep and 12 inches apart.
Mulch the vines two weeks after planting to smother weeds and conserve moisture.
Provide regular watering, about 1 inch per week, until two weeks before harvesting.
Harvest sweet potatoes when the leaves start to yellow.
Dry them in the sun, then cure them in a well-ventilated area at 85 to 90 degrees for 10 to 15 days.
Finally, store the cured sweet potatoes at around 55 degrees with a humidity of 75 to 80%.
Key Points:
- Prepare the soil for planting sweet potatoes.
- Create ridges spaced 3½ feet apart.
- Soil should be well-drained, loose, and rich in organic matter.
- Obtain sweet potato slips from nurseries or mail-order suppliers.
- Plant slips outdoors 3-4 weeks after last spring frost, burying them in 6 inch deep holes 12 inches apart.
- Mulch vines two weeks after planting, provide regular watering, and harvest when leaves start to yellow.
Did You Know?
1. Did you know that sweet potatoes are not actually potatoes? They belong to the morning glory family, while potatoes are part of the nightshade family.
2. Sweet potatoes were first cultivated in Central and South America over 5,000 years ago. They were introduced to Europe by Christopher Columbus, and later spread to other parts of the world through colonization.
3. Sweet potato leaves are also edible and highly nutritious. In some countries, such as parts of Africa and Asia, they are commonly used as a leafy green vegetable in soups, stews, and salads.
4. The color of a sweet potato is determined by its flesh, which can range from white and yellow to orange and purple. The most common variety, the orange-fleshed sweet potato, is a good source of beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body.
5. Sweet potatoes are incredibly versatile and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. Apart from the classic sweet potato casserole, they can also be made into fries, chips, pie, bread, and even ice cream!
Sweet Potato Varieties
With over 400 varieties of sweet potatoes available, there is a wide range of options to choose from when it comes to planting this nutritious and delicious crop. Some popular sweet potato varieties include Beauregards, Bush Porto Ricos, Centennials, and Georgia Jets. These varieties are known for their excellent taste and suitability for home gardening.
Sweet potatoes come in various colors, including purple, orange, and white. The flesh of the sweet potatoes can be moist or dry, each offering a unique texture and taste. Furthermore, there are different types of sweet potatoes, such as stokes, vardamans, and white yams. Stokes sweet potatoes have purple skin and rich purple flesh. They take approximately 120 days to mature and are packed with Vitamin C. Vardamans, on the other hand, are bush type sweet potatoes with short vines, making them perfect for smaller gardens. They have blue or purple foliage and reddish-orange flesh. White yams, one of the oldest sweet potato varieties, feature white skin and flesh and take around 100 days to mature.
- There are over 400 varieties of sweet potatoes available.
- Some popular varieties include Beauregards, Bush Porto Ricos, Centennials, and Georgia Jets.
- Sweet potatoes come in purple, orange, and white.
- Different types of sweet potatoes include stokes, vardamans, and white yams.
- Stokes sweet potatoes have purple skin and rich purple flesh, take 120 days to mature, and are high in Vitamin C.
- Vardamans have blue or purple foliage, short vines, and reddish-orange flesh.
- White yams have white skin and flesh and take around 100 days to mature.
“With over 400 varieties of sweet potatoes available, there is a wide range of options to choose from when it comes to planting this nutritious and delicious crop.”
Planting And Growing Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a versatile crop that can be grown in a sunny vegetable garden. They require 85 to 120 days to mature, making them a longer-term commitment compared to some other vegetables.
When planting sweet potatoes, it is important to choose a site that receives full sun. Sweet potatoes are also known for their tolerance of heat, drought, and pests such as flea beetles and whiteflies. However, it’s important to note that heavy clay soil may cause deformed roots, while sandy soil can result in long and stringy roots. Therefore, it is recommended to choose well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.
To prepare the planting site, it is suggested to create long, wide ridges that are 10 inches high and spaced 3½ feet apart. Adding compost to the soil is crucial for improving its fertility, but it is advised to avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers as they can lead to excessive vine growth and stunted tubers.
In colder regions, covering the raised rows with black plastic can help keep the soil warm and promote strong growth. This technique mimics the warmth of southern climates, enabling better sweet potato development.
To obtain sweet potato slips (root sprouts) for planting, they can be purchased from nurseries or ordered through mail-order suppliers. It is also recommended to save roots from the previous year’s crop for planting in the following season.
Plant sweet potato slips outdoors approximately three to four weeks after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed up. Dig planting holes that are 6 inches deep and space them 12 inches apart. Bury the slips up to the top leaves, ensuring proper coverage and support for the young plants.
- Choose a site that receives full sun
- Use well-draining soil rich in organic matter
- Create long, wide ridges with dimensions of 10 inches high and 3½ feet apart
- Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers
- Cover raised rows with black plastic in colder regions
- Obtain sweet potato slips from nurseries or save roots from previous crops
- Plant slips 3-4 weeks after the last spring frost, burying them up to the top leaves in 6-inch deep holes spaced 12 inches apart.
Soil And Fertilizer Considerations
While sweet potatoes can tolerate poor soil conditions, it is crucial to properly prepare the soil for optimal growth. Well-draining soil rich in organic matter, like compost, is highly recommended for growing sweet potatoes.
Before planting, conducting a soil test is beneficial to identify any nutrient deficiencies. Based on the test results, appropriate amendments can be added to improve the soil’s fertility. However, it is important to avoid excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers as they can lead to excessive vine growth and underdeveloped tubers.
In summary, here are the key points to remember:
- Sweet potatoes can grow in poor soil but require proper soil preparation.
- Well-draining soil, enriched with organic matter like compost, is recommended.
- Conduct a soil test to identify any nutrient deficiencies.
- Avoid excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers to prevent excessive vine growth and underdeveloped tubers.
“Proper soil preparation and nutrient management are essential for successful sweet potato cultivation.”
Pests And Diseases
Sweet potatoes, like any other crop, are susceptible to various pests and diseases. Common pests for sweet potatoes include sweet potato weevils, which attack the roots, vines, and leaves, and spread foot rot. To control these pests, it is advised to use certified disease-resistant slips and practice crop rotation. Implementing these practices can help minimize the chances of infestation.
Another pest that can cause damage to sweet potato plants is the flea beetle. These beetles leave holes in the sweet potato leaves, affecting their overall health and vigor. Mulching heavily and introducing companion plants like dill and marigolds can serve as deterrents to these pests.
Sweet potatoes can also be prone to diseases such as black rot, stem rot, dry rot, and white rust. These diseases can impact the quality and yield of the crop. Proper management practices, such as planting healthy slips and using disease-resistant cultivars, can help minimize the risks associated with these diseases. Additionally, practicing crop rotation and maintaining good sanitation in the garden can further reduce the likelihood of disease attacks.
- Certified disease-resistant slips
- Crop rotation
- Mulching heavily
- Introducing companion plants like dill and marigolds
Harvesting And Storing Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are ready to be harvested when the leaves start to yellow. Leaving them in the ground for a longer period can result in a higher yield and increased vitamin content.
When harvesting sweet potatoes, it is advisable to choose a sunny day with dry soil. Frost can cause tubers to rot, so it is essential to avoid digging them up after a frost event. Carefully dig up the tubers using a garden fork or spade, being cautious not to damage them.
After digging up the sweet potatoes, they should be dried in the sun for several hours to allow excess moisture to evaporate. Subsequently, they should be moved to a well-ventilated area with temperatures between 85 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This curing process typically takes 10 to 15 days, allowing the sweet potatoes to harden and develop their characteristic flavor.
Once the sweet potatoes are cured, they can be stored at approximately 55 degrees Fahrenheit with a humidity level of 75 to 80%. Proper storage conditions can prolong the shelf life of sweet potatoes, allowing them to be enjoyed for several months.
Tips For Growing Sweet Potatoes
Here are some additional tips to ensure successful sweet potato cultivation:
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Sweet potatoes can also be grown indoors in sunny locations. Consider using containers such as half whiskey barrels with a capacity of 15 to 20 gallons. Use a soil mix that includes compost, sand, and a high-potassium fertilizer.
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Practice crop rotation to minimize the risk of pests and diseases. Avoid planting sweet potatoes in the same location year after year.
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When handling sweet potato plants, minimize contact to prevent wounds that can attract disease spores. Take extra care while harvesting to avoid damaging the tubers.
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In regions with dry weather, provide approximately 1 inch of water per week until two weeks before harvest. After that, allow the soil to dry out slightly to prevent rot.
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To protect the sweet potato plants from pests such as whiteflies, use a vacuum or spray an insecticidal soap.
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Implement a mulching technique two weeks after planting to smother weeds, conserve moisture, and maintain loose soil for root development.
By following these guidelines, gardeners can successfully grow and harvest their own sweet potatoes, reaping the benefits of this nutritious and versatile crop.
- Proper care and attention are crucial for sweet potatoes to thrive in a home garden.
- Sweet potatoes provide a bountiful harvest of delicious and healthy tubers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you grow a sweet potato from a sweet potato?
Yes, you can grow a sweet potato from a sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are typically grown from rootable cuttings, known as slips, which can be grown from small or medium-sized sweet potatoes bought from the market. Each sweet potato has the potential to produce between three and five slips. So, by planting these slips, you can cultivate a new batch of sweet potatoes and continue the process of growing them from the original sweet potato. It’s an enjoyable and rewarding experience to witness the growth and development of sweet potatoes from these slips.
How do you grow a sweet potato?
To grow sweet potatoes, it is important to wait for warm soil temperatures, typically about a month after the last spring frost. Plant the sweet potato slips in loamy soil that is slightly damp and has a pH ranging from 5.8 to 6.2. Prior to planting, it is beneficial to enhance the native soil by incorporating a few inches of aged compost or other organic matter to provide the necessary nutrients. Remember to space the sweet potato plants approximately 12 to 18 inches apart, allowing room for them to grow and develop properly. With these steps, you can successfully cultivate your own delicious and nutritious sweet potatoes.
How do you make a sweet potato plant?
To grow a sweet potato plant, start by placing a sweet potato in a container of water. Make sure to expose the top portion of the potato by inserting toothpicks into the sides, with the pointed end facing downwards into the water. After a couple of weeks, you will notice the emergence of a vine with multiple stems, indicating the successful growth of your sweet potato plant. This method allows the sweet potato to absorb water and initiate sprouting, ultimately leading to the development of a vibrant plant.
Which way do sweet potatoes grow?
Sweet potatoes grow from slips, which are sprouted sections of the sweet potato. These slips can be removed from the sweet potato and either placed in water to develop roots before planting or directly planted into the soil along with a piece of the sweet potato. Once planted, sweet potatoes tend to grow underground, forming tubers that can be harvested when mature.