Sweet Potato Growing and Harvest Information
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Where
to Grow Sweet Potatoes
Wherever a minimum of four months of warm growing season can be satisfied. Do not attempt to grow in northern states. The Sweet Potato is a warm-season crop, very tender to frost and light freezes. Other than extreme sensitivity to frost, sweet potatoes are easy to grow, mostly pest free, and once the transplants are anchored, they are drought hardy.
Reccomended Varieties of Sweet Potatoes
Centennial; Porto Rico; Goldmar; Nemagold
Soil for Growing Sweet Potatoes
A light, sandy, not too fertile soil. This is the key, as too fertile ground will produce all top and no tubers, while too moist soil produces poor quality tubers. Rocks and other obstructions in the soil can hamper root development
Planting Sweet Potatoes
When - As soon as the ground can be worked, early in the
season.
How - Start slips with a sweet potato cut in half
lengthwise. Lay the cut side down in a shallow pan of wetted
peat moss or sand. Cover tightly with plastic wrap until
sprouts appear, then unwrap. The slip is ready when it has 4-5
leaves and is 4-8 inches tall, and has roots. A second method
is to place a whole potato in a jar, cover the bottom inch with
water, and keep warm. When leaves form above the roots, twist
sprouts off and plant in a deep flat, or if warm enough, outdoors.
A third method is to take 6 inch cuttings from vine tips in fall
just before frost. Place cuttings in water and, when rooted,
plant in 6 inch pots set in a sough facing window for the duration
of winter. By late winter you can take more cuttings from
these.
Started shoots or slips are supplied by a few mail-order nurseries.
Set out in rows 3-5 feet apart, with 12-15 inches between plants.
To prepare the ground in April, full furrows with 1-2 inches of
compost. Mound soil over compost to form at least 10" high
ridges. This mini-raised bed optimizes both tuber size and
quality, because tuber growth is easily hindered by obstructions in
the soil. After all danger of frost has past, transplant slips
into these ridges. Unlike potatoes, sweets are not true tubers
and keep expanding as the vine grows.
HowSweet Potatoes Grow
The sweet potato is a sprawling morning glory that does not usually flower. The elongated tubers, high in starch content, are formed just below the ground surface.
Cultivating Sweet Potatoes
Once planted, the vines are usually on their own, as too much fertilizer produces all tops. Weeding is important until the vines take hold and spread.
| Storage Requirements | ||
| Cure sweet potatoes before dry storage to seal off wounds and minimize decay. Place in a warm, dark, well-ventilated area at 86-90 F and high humidity for 4-10 days. Store in a cool place, making sure they don't touch. Temperatures below 55F will cause injury. Don't touch until ready to use. | ||
| Fresh | ||
| Temperature | Humidity | Storage Life |
| 55-60 F | 85-90% | 4-7 months |
| Preserved | ||
| Method | Taste | Shelf Life |
| Canned | good | 12+ months |
| Frozen | excellent | 6-8 months |
| Dried | good | 12+ months |
Harvesting Sweet Potatoes
Dig the tubers when the foliage begins to turn yellow and mature. The skins are fragile and bruise easily. Store at just below room temperature, after curing for a few days.
Sweet Potato Pests
None of major importance.
Sweet Potato Diseases
None of major importance.
