GROWING SWEET POTATOES
Sweet potatoes are descend from tropical parts of South America, and were domesticated there at least 5000 years ago.
The vegetable become the popular in American food culture as sweet potatoes are one of the most nutritious vegetables around. Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of antioxidants beta-carotene (vitamin A) and vitamin C, as well as a good source of potassium and fiber.
Sweet potatoes are now growing throughout tropical and warm temperate regions wherever there is sufficient water to support their growth.
Sweet potatoes are easy to plant, require a minimum of effort while growing and yield a bountiful harvest that will store well into the winter.
It grows best at an average temperature of 24 °C (75 °F), abundant sunshine and warm nights.
Depending on the cultivar and conditions, tuberous roots mature in two to nine months.
Although the leaves and shoots are also edible, the starchy tuberous roots are by far the most important product.
How to grow sweet potatoes
The sprouts, called slips, are what will be planted.
At least 2 weeks after the date of the last average frost, clip the slips from the potatoes with a scissors or knife.
Remember which end of the slip was attached to the potato: that end will go in the ground and become roots and more potatoes. Longer slips should be cut in 4” to 6” pieces.
Dig the potato bed to a depth of 8” to 10”. Sweet potatoes grow well in low fertility soil but the addition of compost will loosen the soil and make the roots easier to dig in the fall. A string from one end of the bed to the other will help to keep the row straight.
Plant the slips into the soil 12” apart. Water well after planting and keep watered until signs of growth are observed. The slips have leaves but no roots. So don’t be alarmed if they lose a few, or all, of their leaves. They will survive.
An alternative method is to use small bedding plant flats known as “six-packs” or small flower flats.
Fill the pot or flat with potting soil and plant the slips, one to a cell or pot. Allow 2 weeks for roots to grow, and then plant in prepared beds. This method requires more materials and work, but is much less of a shock to the slip.
While growing sweet potatoes there are almost no pest problems. But they do require weeding until the canopy forms.
