How to Plant Sweet Potato Slips

Sweet potatoes are a nutrient-rich and delicious vegetable that can easily be grown in your own home garden. Planting sweet potato slips is an easy and effective way to grow your own sweet potatoes. In this article, we will guide you through the steps of planting sweet potato slips.

Step 1: Choose the Right Time to Plant

Sweet potato slips should be planted during late spring or early summer. The soil temperature should ideally be around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. You can check the temperature of the soil by using a soil thermometer.

Step 2: Prepare the Soil

Sweet potatoes grow best in well-drained soil that is high in organic matter. You can prepare the soil by tilling it to a depth of 8-10 inches and adding compost or well-rotted manure. You can also add some sand to improve drainage.

Step 3: Plant the Slips

Before planting the sweet potato slips, make sure to cut off any leaves that are growing along the lower one-third of the stem. This will encourage the slips to grow roots. Dig shallow trenches that are about 6 inches deep and plant the slips about 12 inches apart. Cover the slips with soil, leaving only the top leaves exposed.

Step 4: Water the Plants

Water the sweet potato slips regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Sweet potatoes need about 1-2 inches of water per week. Be sure to water the plants during dry spells.

Step 5: Provide Fertilizer

Sweet potato plants benefit from regular fertilization. You can use a balanced fertilizer with a ratio of 10-10-10. Apply the fertilizer according to the instructions on the package.

Step 6: Control Weeds

Weeds can compete with sweet potato plants for nutrients and water. Keep the area around the plants weed-free by regularly hoeing or hand-pulling weeds.

Step 7: Harvest the Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are ready to be harvested when the leaves start to turn yellow or brown. Carefully dig up the sweet potatoes using a garden fork or shovel. Be sure to handle them gently to avoid bruising.

In conclusion, planting sweet potato slips is a simple and enjoyable way to grow your own sweet potatoes. With the right timing, soil preparation, planting, watering, fertilizing, weed control, and harvest, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of this delicious and nutritious vegetable. Happy planting!