Sweet Potato

Getting Started with Sweet Potatoes

Hi there, future sweet potato grower! To begin, you’ll need either sweet potato slips (these are small sprouts that grow from a sweet potato) or a whole sweet potato. You can buy them online or at garden stores, or even sprout one yourself from a store-bought sweet potato.

Tip: If you’re sprouting your own, just stick a sweet potato halfway in a glass of water using toothpicks to hold it up. In about a week, little sprouts will pop out!

Timing

Sweet potatoes love warm weather. They need soil temperatures of at least 60°F (15°C), so it’s best to plant them after the last frost when the ground has warmed up—usually late spring or early summer.

Tools and Materials

Large pots or a sunny garden spot

Well-draining soil (mix in some sand if your soil is too heavy)

Watering can or hose

• Sweet potato slips or sprouted sweet potato
• Compost or organic matter for nutrients

Tip: Sweet potatoes like loose, sandy soil, so avoid heavy clay soils that might hold too much water.

Planting Your Sweet Potato Slips

1. Prepare the Soil: Make sure your soil is loose and well-draining. Mix in some compost or organic matter for extra nutrients.
2. Space Them Out: If you're planting in a garden, dig holes about 4-6 inches deep and space them around 12 inches apart. For pots, make sure each pot is at least 18 inches wide.
3. Plant the Slip: Gently place the slip into the hole, making sure the roots are covered but leave the leaves sticking out. Cover the roots and bottom part of the stem with soil, then pat it down lightly.
4. Water Well: After planting, give the slips a good drink of water to help them settle in.

Tip: If you planted a whole sweet potato to sprout, once the sprouts are about 6 inches long, you can carefully twist them off and plant them as slips.

Container Growing

If you're growing sweet potatoes in containers, use large pots with drainage holes. Fill them with loose soil mixed with some sand, and plant one or two slips per pot.

Sunlight Requirements

Sweet potatoes are sun lovers! Make sure they get at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight every day. If you’re growing them indoors, a sunny windowsill or balcony works well.

Watering Method

• Water them regularly, especially during dry spells, but don’t overdo it. Sweet potatoes don’t like soggy feet!
• Aim to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Check by sticking your finger into the soil—if the top inch feels dry, it’s time to water.

Tip: Watering deeply once or twice a week is better than a little bit every day. This encourages deeper root growth.

Fertilizing Tips

• Sweet potatoes don’t need a lot of fertilizer, but adding some compost or an all-purpose vegetable fertilizer every 4-6 weeks can help.
• Avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen (the first number on the bag), as this encourages leafy growth rather than tuber development.

Supporting Vines

Sweet potato vines can spread quite a bit, so be ready for them to take up space. You can let them sprawl on the ground or train them to climb a trellis if you’re short on space.

When to Harvest

Sweet potatoes are usually ready to harvest about 90-120 days after planting. You'll know they’re ready when the leaves start to turn yellow and die back slightly. Don’t wait too long, though, as cold weather can damage the tubers.

How to Harvest

1. Carefully dig around the base of the plant with a fork or spade. Be gentle—you don’t want to cut into the sweet potatoes.
2. Pull the tubers out of the ground, shaking off any excess dirt.
3. Let them sit in the sun for a few hours to cure, which helps them develop a sweeter flavor and tougher skin for storage.

Tip: If frost is coming, harvest your sweet potatoes immediately, even if the leaves haven’t died back yet.

Storage

After harvesting, let the sweet potatoes cure in a warm, humid place (around 80°F/27°C) for about 10 days. Then, store them in a cool, dry place like a pantry or basement. Properly cured sweet potatoes can last several months!

1. Yellow Leaves

Cause: Could be natural aging, overwatering, or lack of nutrients.

Solution: Check your watering routine and ensure the soil isn’t too wet. If needed, add some compost or a balanced fertilizer.

2. No Tubers Forming

Cause: Not enough sunlight or poor soil conditions.

Solution: Make sure your plants are getting plenty of sunlight and that the soil is loose and well-drained. Sweet potatoes also prefer warmer soil, so wait until the ground is nice and warm before planting.

3. Cracked Tubers

Cause: Uneven watering, especially heavy rain after a dry spell.

Solution: Try to maintain consistent moisture levels in the soil. Mulching can help retain moisture and prevent cracking.

4. Pests Eating Leaves

Cause: Common pests include aphids or sweet potato weevils.

Solution: Inspect your plants regularly. For small infestations, you can remove pests by hand or spray the leaves with a mixture of water and mild soap.

5. Vines Taking Over

Cause: Sweet potato vines naturally spread and can become invasive.

Solution: Prune the vines back occasionally to control their size. If you’re short on space, consider training them to grow vertically on a trellis.