Sweet potatoes are not difficult to grow. Originally from the tropics, they are one of the few crops that thrive in hot climates during the summer.
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| Sweet Potatoes |
Slips are the small vine plants that are used for growing sweet potatoes. While some people use store-bought sweet potatoes to start their own slips, there is no guarantee that the variety from the grocery store grows well in your area. Most locally-owned garden centers sell sweet potato slips, so ask yours when they are available.
DO: Turn the ground well before you plant your slips
It is best to turn the ground to a depth of at least 12 inches. This ensures nicely shaped, plump potatoes, since they don't have to fight compacted soil to grow.
DO: Add 50 percent additional organic matter to the soil before planting your sweet potatoes
While sweet potatoes tolerate poor, sandy soil, they grow much better in loose, humus-rich soil where they can receive the proper nutrients. An added benefit is that the extra humus prevents nematodes and wire worms, which are a problem with root crops.
DO'N'T: Plant sweet potatoes in the shade
Sweet potatoes need full sunlight for the vines to thrive and produce the best tubers. Planting in shade produces small, pale, mealy tubers.
DO'N'T: Plant sweet potatoes in a boggy or poorly drained area
If the soil stays too wet, the tubers rot. It is best to build up a hill to plant each slip or to plant in raised beds with good drainage.
DO'N'T: Dig your sweet potatoes until the vines and leaves die completely
Sweet potatoes need all the energy from the vines and leaves to make sugar. They don't have the sweetness you desire if they are dug too early.
Growing your own sweet potatoes is a rewarding venture. Planting your sweet potatoes properly is the first step to a bountiful crop. You can cure and save some of the best to grow slips for next year's crop once you have your first crop.
