To grow sweet potatoes successfully, follow these key steps:
Starting Sweet Potatoes
- Sweet potatoes are grown from slips, which are shoots grown from mature sweet potato tubers, or from vine cuttings. You can start slips by placing sweet potato tubers in warm, moist conditions (such as sand in a propagator or warm room) until shoots appear, then cut and root the slips in pots or water
Planting
- Plant slips outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and the soil temperature is consistently above 65°F (18°C). They prefer warm soil and full sun, ideally 8-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
- Space plants about 12 to 18 inches apart in rows that are 30 to 40 inches apart. For container growing, use pots at least 30 cm (1 ft) wide and plant one slip per pot
- Sweet potatoes grow best in well-drained, sandy or loamy soil with a pH between 5.8 and 6.2, enriched with organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure
Growing Conditions
- Sweet potatoes prefer warm temperatures between 21–26°C (70–80°F) and need protection from frost. In cooler climates, growing in a greenhouse, polytunnel, or using cloches/fleece outdoors helps maintain warmth
- Regular watering is important, especially during the first 50-60 days, but avoid waterlogging. Reduce watering toward the end of the growing season to prevent tubers from splitting
- They produce long trailing or climbing vines that can be trained on trellises or allowed to sprawl
Care
- Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Control weeds early before the vines shade them out
- Feed plants with a high-potash fertilizer or liquid feed every two weeks to support tuber development
- Pinch out growing tips to encourage bushier growth if desired
Harvesting
- Sweet potatoes are typically ready to harvest in early autumn, about 85-120 days after planting, when the vines start to yellow
- Cure harvested tubers in a warm, well-ventilated area for about 10 days before storing or cooking to improve flavor and shelf life
By following these guidelines-starting slips indoors, planting in warm, well- prepared soil, providing consistent moisture and warmth, and harvesting at the right time-you can grow a healthy crop of sweet potatoes
