Growing sweet potatoes can be a rewarding experience if you follow a few key steps.
Choose the Right Variety
Select a sweet potato variety suited to your climate and soil type.
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Popular types include Beauregard, Jewel, and Covington. For regions with shorter growing seasons, consider varieties with a quicker maturation period.
Prepare the Soil
Sweet potatoes thrive in well-drained, sandy loam soils. Before planting, enrich the soil with compost or aged manure to ensure it’s nutrient-rich.
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Aim for a pH level between 5.8 and 6.2. Raised beds or mounds can also improve drainage.
Plant Properly
Start with healthy slips (young shoots) rather than whole sweet potatoes. Plant slips after the last frost when the soil temperature is consistently above 65°F (18°C).
Space them 12-18 inches apart in rows that are 3 feet apart. Bury the slips up to the first set of leaves.
Watering and Fertilization
Sweet potatoes need constant moisture, especially early on. Regular watering keeps soil wet but not soggy.
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Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases. Fertilize with a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer at planting and again midway through the growing season.
Harvest and Store
Sweet potatoes are typically ready for harvest 90-120 days after planting. Harvest before the first frost.
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Gently dig them up with a fork, being careful not to puncture the tubers. Cure the sweet potatoes in a warm, humid atmosphere for about 10 days to boost flavor and storage life.