Harvesting and storage of sweet potatoes
For getting good crop sweet potatoes should be harvested before frost kills the vines or soon thereafter. To give highest yields it need in 130-170 days from planting are needed. But “baby bakers” or smaller roots can be harvested up to a month earlier.
Roots continue to grow until frost affects the vines. However, an extremely hard frost can cause damage to roots near the surface.
Try to prevent chilling injury of roots when soil temperatures drop to 50°F or lower, as this can result in internal decay in storage. Direct sunlight for over an hour can sunburn the roots, so dig only those that can be picked up immediately.
The greatest danger from delayed digging of sweet potatoes harvest is in the effect wet soil has on the roots. Excessive moisture can prevent digging injuries from healing properly allowing decay of the roots.
Disease control continues through harvesting and storing of sweet potatoes.
Even a small wound can easily become infected with decay organisms. Take care during digging and handling to avoid skinning and bruising the roots.
If possible, line containers with rags or other soft material to avoid scratching the roots. Put healthy roots directly into clean storage containers at harvest. Although large amounts of soil clinging to roots during storage are not desirable, freshly-dug sweet potatoes are easily damaged during the washing process. Allow sweet potato roots to dry and cure before removing excess soil.
