How to Grow Sweet Potatoes

One of the most delicious and nutritious vegetables you can grow in your garden is sweet potatoes. These root vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals and can be used in a variety of dishes, from casseroles to pies. If you're interested in growing sweet potatoes in your own garden, here's how to get started.

Preparing the Soil

The first step in growing sweet potatoes is to prepare the soil. Sweet potatoes prefer a loose, sandy soil that's rich in organic matter. Begin by clearing the area of weeds and debris. Then, mix in plenty of compost, aged manure, or other organic matter to improve the soil's fertility and texture.

Planting the Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potato plants can be started from slips, which are small sprouts that form on a mature sweet potato. To start your slips, place a sweet potato in a jar or glass of water, with the top third of the potato above the water. After a few days, small sprouts should begin to form. Once the sprouts are about six inches long, carefully twist them off the sweet potato and root them in a small pot of soil.

After your slips have rooted and grown to about six inches tall, they're ready to be transplanted outdoors. Choose a warm, sunny spot in your garden and plant the slips about three inches deep in the soil. Be sure to space them about a foot apart to give them plenty of room to grow.

Caring for Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes need plenty of water to grow, so be sure to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. It's also important to keep the area around the plants weed-free and to fertilize the plants regularly with a balanced fertilizer.

Harvesting Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes will be ready to harvest about 100-150 days after planting, depending on the variety. When the leaves of the plant begin to yellow and die back, it's time to harvest the sweet potatoes. Carefully dig up the plants, being careful not to damage the potatoes. Allow the sweet potatoes to cure in a warm, dry place for a few days to improve their flavor and texture.

In conclusion, growing sweet potatoes is a fun and rewarding gardening project that can yield a bountiful harvest of delicious and nutritious vegetables. By following these simple steps, you can grow your own sweet potatoes and enjoy the taste of homegrown food.