One of the Easier Plants to Grow and Eat!

Sweet potatoes, available in a multitude of varieties, are a versatile and nutritious root vegetable enjoyed around the world. Unlike many vegetables, they are not grown from seeds, but rather from “slips,” which are young shoots sprouted from mature tubers. Each slip can produce multiple potatoes; you can expect 4 – 6 potatoes.

Despite their name, sweet potatoes are not true potatoes; they belong to an entirely different plant family, Ipomoea batatas. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, sweet potatoes can be prepared in countless ways, from savory dishes to sweet desserts. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, this guide will walk you through the steps of successfully growing sweet potatoes from slips, from planting to harvest and storage.

Planting & Growing from Slips

Sweet potatoes require loose, well-drained soil for best production. If you have clay soil or drainage problems, work in lots of compost or other organic matter and make raised beds, hills, or planting ridges approximately 8 inches high. Sweet potatoes grow vigorously in warm areas and quickly shade out weeds as the season progresses.

Plant your slips at least 2–3 inches deep (2 or more nodes) with at least 2 leaves above ground. Space 10–14 inches apart in rows at least 3 feet apart, to make room for the sprawling vines. Wide in-row spacing leads to larger tubers. In hot weather, transplant in the evening. If the sun is intense, protect your little slips with some shade for the first few days. Water newly planted slips immediately and keep the soil moist for at least the first week as roots develop. Water frequently until the plants are established. In most areas sweet potatoes produce well without additional watering once established, but irrigation will assure a larger harvest, and even moisture helps prevent splitting and cracks. Giving 1 inch of water a week through the growing season is a good guideline. Keep the plants free of weeds until they can shade out competition.

Cultivate carefully to protect the shallow roots. Side dress each plant with a shovel full of compost for better yields and larger sweet potatoes, though sweet potatoes generally produce well even with low fertility. The tubers and leaves are edible, so protect your plants from deer and other wildlife, especially while the plants are small.

What to Plant and What Not to Plant with Your Sweet Potatoes

Companion planting involves strategically pairing plants in your garden to enhance growth, deter pests, or attract beneficial insects. When it comes to sweet potatoes, choosing the right companions can contribute to a healthier and more abundant harvest. Companion planting can be a fun and rewarding way to improve your garden’s ecosystem. Experiment with different combinations and observe the results to discover what works best in your unique garden space.

Beneficial Companions for Sweet Potatoes:

• Legumes: Beans and peas, as nitrogen-fixing plants, enrich the soil with this essential nutrient, benefiting the sweet potatoes. Vining varieties like pole beans can also provide partial shade.
• Alliums: Onions, garlic, and chives deter pests with their strong scent.
• Herbs: Aromatic herbs like thyme, oregano, dill, and basil repel various insects and attract beneficial pollinators.
• Marigolds: These colorful flowers deter nematodes and other harmful pests.
• Nasturtiums: These edible flowers attract aphids away from your sweet potatoes, acting as a trap crop.

Plants to Avoid near Sweet Potatoes:

• Squash: These sprawling plants can compete for space and resources with sweet potatoes.
• Sunflowers: They can shade out sweet potatoes, hindering their growth.
• Brassicas: Members of the cabbage family, like broccoli and cauliflower, may not be the best companions for sweet potatoes.

Harvesting

You can harvest sweet potato leaves and young shoots for cooking greens at any time (just don’t take too much at once – no more than one-third of the vine). Sweet potatoes are ready to harvest as soon as they reach your preferred size. Try digging one of your plants when your crop reaches the recommended growing time for the variety, generally 90–120 days. If the tubers are still too small for your liking, try again in a week. If you dig very carefully, you can replace the plant and it will keep growing. Cut back on irrigation 3-4 weeks before harvest.

It’s best to harvest on a sunny day when the soil is not too wet. Pull aside the vines so you can see where you’re digging. Using a garden fork (or a shovel or spade), begin digging 12–18 inches away from the center of the plant to avoid damaging the tubers. Go straight down about 6 inches, then angle toward the center and gently lift the potatoes out of the ground. Separate the sweet potatoes and let them dry in the sun for no more than 30 minutes. Handle gently to avoid bruising. Sweet potatoes left in the ground will continue growing until frost, although growth slows as the weather cools. Soil temperature below 55°F will damage the taste and storage quality of your tubers.

Curing & Storage

Proper curing is essential for taste and long-term storage. It allows for healing of any scratches or other damage, increases their sweetness, and improves storage quality. Immediately after harvest, let the tubers fully dry, then shake off excess soil. Do not wash the sweet potatoes! Cure by keeping them at 90% relative humidity and 85°F for 7–10 days. A furnace room or space heater plus open pans of water can provide the right storage conditions.

For long term storage after curing, choose firm, round, bruise-free, well-shaped sweet potatoes with fairly even coloring. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from light, at room temperature or a little cooler (55–65°F). Do not refrigerate raw sweet potatoes. Cold temperatures will give tubers a hard core and affect the flavor. Properly cured sweet potatoes should store for 5 to 12 months unrefrigerated.