How to Plant Sweet Potato Slips

Sweet potatoes are a delicious and nutritious root vegetable that is grown around the world. They are relatively easy to grow, and planting sweet potato slips can be a great way to get started. In this article, we'll go over everything you need to know to successfully plant sweet potato slips.

Choosing Sweet Potato Slips

The first step in planting sweet potato slips is choosing the right ones. Sweet potato slips are small sprouts that grow from sweet potatoes. They are usually sold by garden centers or online retailers. When choosing sweet potato slips, look for ones that are healthy and have a few leaves. You don't want slips that are too big or too small.

Preparing Your Soil

Sweet potato slips need a warm environment to grow, so it's important to prepare your soil before planting them. Make sure your soil is well-draining and has plenty of organic matter. If your soil is heavy and compacted, add some sand and organic matter to improve drainage. Sweet potatoes also prefer a slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.5.

Planting Sweet Potato Slips

Once you have your sweet potato slips and soil ready, it's time to plant them. Sweet potato slips should be planted after the risk of frost has passed, usually in late spring or early summer. Dig a hole that is deep enough for your sweet potato slip to be planted with the leaves just above the soil surface. Cover the sweet potato slip with soil and water it well.

Caring for Your Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes require relatively little care once they are planted. Water your sweet potatoes regularly, but make sure the soil doesn't become waterlogged. Fertilize your sweet potatoes with a balanced fertilizer once a month to ensure they get the nutrients they need. You can also use mulch to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Harvesting Your Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes can be harvested after about 100 days, or when the leaves begin to turn yellow. Gently dig up your sweet potatoes and brush off any excess dirt. Let your sweet potatoes dry in the sun for a few hours before storing them in a cool, dry place.

In conclusion, planting sweet potato slips is a great way to grow your own sweet potatoes. Remember to choose healthy slips, prepare your soil, plant your slips with the leaves just above the soil surface, and care for your sweet potatoes by watering them regularly, fertilizing them once a month, and using mulch. With a little care and attention, you can enjoy delicious homegrown sweet potatoes in no time!