Unlock the secrets to cultivating sweet, nutritious sweet potatoes in your own backyard. From soil prep to harvest, learn how to grow this versatile vegetable for a rewarding, delicious crop.
1
Choose from a variety of sweet potatoes, including Beauregard and Jewel, for your garden's climate and taste preferences.
2
Begin your sweet potato journey with slips, the sprouts that grow from mature sweet potatoes, for best results.
3
Plant sweet potato slips after the last frost when the soil is warm, ensuring a favorable start for your crop.
4
Sweet potatoes thrive in well-draining soil and full sun. Prepare your garden spot to meet these conditions for optimal growth.
5
Plant slips about 4 inches deep and 12 inches apart in rows, allowing plenty of room for sprawling vines and root development.
6
Keep the soil moist, especially during the first few weeks, to encourage strong root growth without waterlogging.
7
Use a low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer to promote robust root growth without encouraging too much leaf production.
8
Monitor for common pests and diseases, using organic methods to protect your sweet potatoes without harmful chemicals.
9
Allow sweet potato vines to grow freely; they can beautify your garden while the tubers develop underground.
10
Harvest sweet potatoes before the first frost by gently digging around the plants to avoid bruising the tender tubers.
ENJOY
A single sweet potato plant can produce up to 10 pounds of sweet potatoes under ideal conditions.