How to Plant a Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes are a delicious and nutritious addition to any garden or yard. These root vegetables are easy to grow and require minimal maintenance, making them an ideal choice for novice gardeners. In this article, we will explore the steps to plant sweet potatoes and have a bountiful harvest.

Preparing the Soil

Before planting sweet potatoes, it is vital to prepare the soil. Choose a location that receives plenty of sunlight and has well-draining soil. Sweet potatoes require a pH level between 5.0 and 6.5, so make sure to test the soil's acidity level with a pH meter. If the soil's pH is too high or too low, add lime or sulfur to adjust it accordingly.

Planting Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are typically grown from slips or stem cuttings. You can purchase these slips from a garden center or online, or you can propagate your own slips from a sweet potato. To do this, cut a sweet potato in half and submerge it halfway in water. After a few weeks, slips will sprout from the potato's top, ready for planting.

When planting sweet potato slips, dig a hole that is deep enough to cover the slip's bottom half. Space each slip 12 to 18 inches apart and make sure to water the slips well after planting. Sweet potatoes thrive in warm weather, so it is best to wait until the soil has reached 60掳F before planting them.

Caring for Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes require minimal care but require consistent watering. Make sure to water them once a week, deepening the watering as the plants grow larger. It is also beneficial to mulch the sweet potatoes to conserve moisture and protect the vines from drying out.

Fertilize the sweet potatoes twice during the growing season using a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 fertilizer. Apply the first dose of fertilizer when the vines begin to spread, and the second dose six weeks later. Be careful not to over-fertilize the sweet potatoes, as this can damage the plants and affect the yields.

Harvesting Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are typically ready to harvest around four months after planting. To harvest the sweet potatoes, dig them up carefully from the soil using a spade or fork. Avoid cutting the sweet potatoes with the tool while digging them up, as this can decrease their shelf life and quality.

After harvesting, allow the sweet potatoes to cure for a week in a warm, dry, and dark location. This curing process allows the sweet potato's skin to toughen to enhance its storage and flavor. After curing, store the sweet potatoes in a ventilated space with a temperature between 55掳F and 60掳F.

Final Thoughts

Planting sweet potatoes is a straightforward and rewarding process that can produce a tasty and nutritious crop. Follow the steps outlined in this article to plant sweet potatoes successfully and yield a bountiful harvest. With a little effort and care, you can enjoy fresh sweet potatoes throughout the growing season.