How To Plant Sweet Potatoes? Beginner's Success Tips

Sweet potatoes are a delicious and nutritious root vegetable that can be grown in a variety of climates. They are relatively easy to plant and maintain, making them a great choice for beginner gardeners. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to plant sweet potatoes, as well as some tips and tricks to ensure a successful harvest.

Choosing the Right Variety

Before you start planting, it’s essential to choose the right variety of sweet potato for your climate and desired outcome. There are several types of sweet potatoes, including Ipomoea batatas, which is the most commonly grown variety. Other popular varieties include ‘Georgia Jet’, ‘Jewel’, and ‘Centennial’. When selecting a variety, consider factors such as maturity days, disease resistance, and flavor profile.

Preparing the Soil

Sweet potatoes prefer well-draining, loose soil that is rich in organic matter. To prepare the soil, start by loosening it to a depth of 12 inches. Add a 2-inch layer of compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil fertility and drainage. If your soil is heavy clay or sandy, mix in some organic matter such as peat moss or perlite to improve its structure. Sweet potatoes prefer a slightly acidic soil pH, ranging from 5.5 to 6.5.

The following table provides some guidelines for preparing the soil:

Obtaining Sweet Potato Slips

Sweet potatoes are typically grown from slips, which are small, sprouted sections of the root. You can purchase sweet potato slips from a gardening store or online supplier, or grow your own from a healthy, disease-free sweet potato. To grow your own slips, place a sweet potato in a jar of water, with the “eyes” facing upwards. Keep the jar in a warm, sunny location, and wait for the slips to develop.

Planting the Slips

Once you have obtained your sweet potato slips, it’s time to plant them. Dig a trench that is 6-8 inches deep and 12 inches wide. Place the slips in the trench, spacing them 12-18 inches apart. Cover the slips with a thin layer of soil, and water well. As the plants grow, add more soil to the trench, leaving only a few inches of the leaves exposed.

Here are some tips for planting sweet potato slips:

• Plant the slips in the morning or early afternoon, when the sun is not too intense.
• Water the slips well after planting, and keep the soil consistently moist during the first few weeks.
• Keep the area around the plants weed-free, as weeds can compete with the sweet potatoes for water and nutrients.

Caring for the Plants

Once the sweet potatoes are planted, it’s essential to provide them with the right care. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Sweet potatoes are susceptible to disease, so avoid overwatering, which can lead to rot and other problems. You can also add a layer of mulch around the plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Monitoring for Pests and Diseases

Sweet potatoes are susceptible to a range of pests and diseases, including Cercospora leaf spot, Fusarium wilt, and wireworms. To monitor for pests and diseases, inspect the plants regularly, looking for signs of damage or infection. Use organic or integrated pest management (IPM) methods to control any problems that arise.

Harvesting the Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are ready to harvest when the tops of the plants start to yellow and die back. This is usually around 100-120 days after planting, depending on the variety. Use a fork to carefully dig around the plants, being careful not to damage the tubers. Lift the sweet potatoes out of the ground, and let them cure in a warm, dry location for a few days before storing them.

Here are some tips for harvesting sweet potatoes:

1. Harvest the sweet potatoes on a dry day, to avoid damaging the tubers.
2. Use a fork to carefully dig around the plants, rather than a shovel, which can damage the tubers.
3. Handle the sweet potatoes carefully, as they can be bruised or damaged easily.