Sweet Potatoes
Growing Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a warm-weather vegetable that thrives during long, frost-free growing seasons. These fast-growing plants produce trailing vines that spread across the soil and form nutritious, vitamin A–rich roots. While often confused with yams, sweet potatoes are actually a completely different plant.
Planting Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are grown from young plants called slips. Plant slips after the last frost, once the soil has warmed. Space plants 12–18 inches apart on raised ridges or mounds, with rows 3–4 feet apart to give vines room to spread. Raised beds help soil warm faster and improve drainage, which encourages strong growth.
Care and Maintenance
Sweet potatoes require minimal care once established. Weed lightly until vines spread and cover the soil. Water during long dry periods, but avoid watering during the last few weeks before harvest to protect developing roots.
Harvesting and Storage
You can carefully dig a few early roots in late summer, but the main harvest typically occurs around the first fall frost. Use a shovel or garden fork and dig carefully to avoid damaging the roots. After harvesting, allow potatoes to dry for a few hours, then cure them in a warm, humid area for about 10–14 days before storing in a cool, dry place.
Common Issues
To reduce disease problems, plant certified disease-free slips and rotate planting locations each year. In some gardens, mice may damage crops by tunneling into the soil, so checking for activity throughout the season can help protect your harvest.
With proper planting, warm temperatures and a little patience, sweet potatoes can provide a plentiful and delicious harvest for your home garden.