Growing Sweet Potato In Your Garden

Written by Lars Nyman on

September 30, 2024

Growing Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes are a nutritious, starchy root vegetable that is eaten in countless cuisines around the world. They are available in many different varieties, including white, purple, and orange-fleshed sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are often boiled, steamed, baked, or fried, and can be added to many different dishes for nutritional value, flavor, and texture.

Growing sweet potatoes was surprisingly easy in my garden; they really thrived in well-drained soil and full sun.
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Cheatsheet: Growing Sweet Potato in Your Garden

Varieties

  • Choose from over 4000 varieties 🌱
  • Popular ones include Beauregard, Georgia Jet, and Covington

Soil & Sun

  • Loose, well-drained soil 🌱
  • 6-8 hours of direct sunlight ☀️

Planting

  • Start slips indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost ❄️
  • Plant slips or sprouts in hills 12-18 inches apart 🌿

Care & Maintenance

  • Regular watering, especially during dry spells 💧
  • Apply aged compost or organic fertilizer every few weeks 🌿
  • Keep weeds under control to avoid competition

Harvesting

  • Wait until vine yellows & dies back 🍃
  • Gently dig up sweet potatoes with a garden fork or shovel 🛠️
  • Average yield: 2-5 lbs per plant, sometimes up to 20 lbs! 🌱

Storage & Usage

  • Cure sweet potatoes at 80-85°F with high humidity for 10-14 days before storing 🌡️
  • Store in a cool, dark, dry place 🏡
  • Enjoy as a nutritious and versatile ingredient in soups, pies, fries, and more!

Health Benefits

  • Packed with essential vitamins A, C, and B6 🥕🍠
  • Rich in dietary fiber and antioxidants 🌿✨
  • Boosts immunity and aids in digestion 🌱🩺

Growing Sweet Potato in Your Garden

Choosing the Right Variety

First things first, selecting the right sweet potato variety is key. Varieties like Beauregard and Jewel are great for home gardens.

Trust me, I've tried a few, and these consistently impress with their yield and flavor.

Preparing the Soil

Sweet potatoes thrive in well-drained, sandy soil. If your soil isn't sandy, no worries—just amend it with compost.

Make sure the soil pH is between 5.8 and 6.2. A soil test kit can really help here.

Creating Raised Beds

I swear by raised beds for sweet potatoes. They improve drainage and make harvesting a breeze.

Raised beds also warm up quicker in the spring, giving your sweet potatoes a head start.

Planting Sweet Potatoes

Plant sweet potato slips, not seeds. Slips are young plants about 6-12 inches long.

Trust me, using slips saves you time and ensures a more robust growth.

Spacing and Depth

Plant slips about 12-18 inches apart in rows that are 3-4 feet apart.

Bury the slips up to their top leaves. They’ll root quickly and start growing.

Watering Needs

Sweet potatoes need consistent moisture, especially during the first few weeks.

Water deeply but infrequently. Overwatering can lead to rot.

Mulching

Mulching helps retain soil moisture and prevents weeds. I usually use straw or grass clippings.

Just make sure the mulch is free of weed seeds.

Fertilizing

Use a balanced fertilizer, but don't overdo it. Too much nitrogen can lead to lush vines with few tubers.

A 10-10-10 fertilizer applied sparingly works wonders.

Dealing with Pests and Diseases

Sweet potatoes are relatively pest-resistant, but keep an eye out for sweet potato weevils and wireworms.

Crop rotation helps. Avoid planting sweet potatoes in the same spot year after year.

Companion Planting

Consider planting beans or peas nearby. They fix nitrogen in the soil, benefiting your sweet potatoes.

Marigolds can deter pests. They’re a colorful and practical addition.

Harvesting Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are ready to harvest about 90-120 days after planting. Look for yellowing leaves as a sign.

Use a garden fork to gently lift the tubers. Be careful not to bruise them.

“A single sweet potato plant can yield 3-5 pounds of tubers. It's astonishing how much food you can get from a small space!”

Curing and Storing

Cure sweet potatoes by keeping them in a warm (85°F) and humid (90% humidity) environment for 5-10 days.

After curing, store them in a cool, dry place. Properly cured sweet potatoes can last for months.

Enjoying the Harvest

There’s nothing quite like the taste of homegrown sweet potatoes. Bake, mash, or even grill them.

Try sweet potato fries! Your taste buds will thank you.

That's it, folks. Growing sweet potatoes might seem daunting, but with these tips, you'll be reaping a bountiful harvest in no time!

Growing Sweet Potato FAQ

1. When should I plant sweet potatoes?

Plant sweet potatoes in warm weather, typically around spring or early summer.

2. How do I prepare the soil for growing sweet potatoes?

Loosen the soil, incorporate organic matter, and ensure good drainage for optimal sweet potato growth.

3. Do sweet potatoes need a lot of sunlight?

Yes, sweet potatoes thrive in full sun. Provide them with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.

4. How often should I water my sweet potato plants?

Water sweet potatoes frequently, aiming for consistently moist soil without overwatering.

5. Can I grow sweet potatoes in containers or pots?

Yes, sweet potatoes can be successfully grown in large containers or pots with proper drainage.

6. Are sweet potatoes vulnerable to any pests or diseases?

Yes, be vigilant against pest infestations and diseases, including sweet potato weevils and fusarium wilt. Follow appropriate prevention and treatment methods.

7. When and how should I harvest sweet potatoes?

Harvest sweet potatoes once the foliage begins to die back. Carefully dig them out, handling the delicate tubers with care.

8. How should I store harvested sweet potatoes?

Cure sweet potatoes by placing them in a warm and humid location for 10-14 days, then store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area.

Sweet Potatoes should be grown because they are easy to grow, are highly nutritious, and relatively drought tolerant. They are packed with vitamins such as B6 and C and are a great source of dietary fiber, minerals and antioxidants. Sweet Potatoes are an excellent choice for gardeners or farmers looking for a quick, low maintenance crop that yields a generous harvest.

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