How Do You Plant Sweet Potatoes?

Intro to growing Sweet potatoes

OK, let's get started. Growing sweet potatoes is a lot of fun. Plus, they are tasty and healthy!

Soil

Use light, sandy soil best, but can adapt to any fertile, well drained soil. Then place the tubers in moist vermiculite, perlite or sand. Ideally, put them in a warm propagator or airing cupboard to encourage sprouting. Choose a sunny spot with rich, loose soil. Sweet potatoes prefer soil to be on the sandier side. Add some compost, perlite, and coco coir. Sweet potatoes ideally wants sandy loam to grow in. Sandy loam simply means soil consisting of less than 7 percent clay, less than 50 percent silt, and between 43 and 50 percent sand.

Container

You can also plant sweet potatoes in large containers, one per pot at least 30cm (1ft) wide, filled with multi-purpose compost.

Seeds

It is possible to take cuttings from shop-bought tubers, but these may be less hardy cultivars that are unsuitable for cooler climates. You are obviously also going to need something to plant! It's best to plant root sprouts, called slips, available from nurseries and even mail-order suppliers. You can also take cuttings from shop-bought tubers, but they are less likely to succeed!

Sun-Requirements

This plant needs full sun.

Sowing

Cover the pots with a clear plastic bag or place them in an unheated propagator until they root. Plant the slips about 12 to 18 inches apart with 3 to 4 feet between rows.

Depth

Sweet potatoes should be sown at a depth of 7 inches (18 cm).