Sweet potatoes are a delicious, nutritious root vegetable that is perfect for growing in home gardens. Homegrown sweet potatoes will be sweeter and more flavorful than store-bought. Sweet potatoes require hot weather and a long growing season, so they are ideal for southern gardens, but can also be grown in containers in cooler climates.

About Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are starchy tuberous roots closely related to morning glory. They come in a variety of colors including orange, red, brown and white. Sweet potatoes prefer warm weather, fertile and well-drained soil. They need sandy, loamy soil with lots of organic matter and full sun exposure.

How to Grow Sweet Potatoes

• Obtain sweet potato slips or starts. Slips are small shoots with roots grown from seed tubers. Plant the slips 4-6 feet apart in rows 2-3 feet apart.
• Sweet potatoes need hot weather, so plant the slips after the last frost once the soil has warmed up to at least 70-80 F.
• Water the sweet potato slips regularly, especially in hot or dry weather. Aim for 1-2 inches of water per week. Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation.
• Side-dress the plants with fertilizer in late spring and early summer. Use a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer.
• Once the vines turn brown, the sweet potatoes are ready to harvest. Gently dig around a plant to loosen the tubers.
• Cure the harvested sweet potatoes for 1-2 weeks at around 85 F. This allows the skins to thicken so they store longer.
• After curing, brush off any dirt and sort the sweet potatoes. Store them in a cool, dark place for several months.

How to Care for Sweet Potatoes

• Plant sweet potato slips after the last frost once the soil is warm. They need hot weather to thrive.
• Water the sweet potatoes regularly to keep the soil consistently moist. Do not let them dry out.
• Fertilize the sweet potatoes in late spring and early summer. Use a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer.
• Once the vines turn brown, the tubers are ready to harvest. Gently dig around the plants to loosen them.
• Cure the harvested sweet potatoes in a warm place with high humidity for 1-2 weeks. This allows the skins to harden.
• Brush away any dirt after curing and sort the tubers by size. Store them in a cool, dark place.
• Sweet potatoes will stay fresh for 3-6 months when stored properly. Use within this time period for best quality.
• Sweet potatoes are perennial and re-sprout easily. Avoid replanting slips from harvested tubers. Obtain new transplants each year.

Conclusion

Homegrown sweet potatoes will delight you with their natural sweetness and taste. Your garden will surely become a source of inspiration, memories and delicious home cooking once you follow our easy guide on growing and caring for sweet potatoes . Happy harvesting!