Sweetpotatoes in the Home Garden
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Collapse ▲Often referred to as the “Orange Superfood” sweetpotatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are a warm season crop and a member of the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae). Sweetpotatoes are grown for the large storage roots they produce and are sometimes mistakenly referred to as “yams.” Yams are an entirely separate plant and it is unlikely that many locals have eaten a true yam. Many products that are marketed as “Yams” are in fact sweet potatoes. Yams are edible tubers that are native to Africa and Asia, with a thick rough bark-like skin and a yellow or white flesh.
Sweetpotatoes are a fairly easy crop to grow in well-drained, loamy or sandy soils with full sun. You can also grow them in raised beds, but make sure you provide adequate room for the vines. The pH of the soil should be around 6.0 and apply one pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet at planting (ex. 10 lbs. of 10-10-10 provides 1 pound of nitrogen). Approximately 25 days after planting apply an additional 10 pounds of 10-10-10 per 1,000 square feet as a side dress to help with season long growth.
Sweetpotatoes are grown from vine cuttings called “slips” that are cut from seed potato roots. These slips can be purchased through garden centers, mail order, and you can even grow them at home from saved potatoes. Slips can be planted from May 1st through July 15th into raised mounds or rows set 3-4 feet apart. Slips should be spaced 16-18 inches apart within the row and set 3-4 inches deep, with several nodes (point on vine where leaves and root originate) below ground. Watering after planting will help settle the soil around the slip. These plants are very hardy, so do not worry if the slips look like withered cuttings in the ground.
With warm weather, vines will quickly form a thick mat of leaves and stems that will help with weed control. Keep in mind crop rotation and garden sanitation will help with insect and disease control. Most common garden insecticides can help with leave eating insects.
Harvesting occurs about 90-120 days after planting. The only way to know if sweetpotatoes are ready for harvest is to dig up the roots and evaluate them for the size you prefer. Following harvest, sweetpotatoes are generally cured at 80-85 degrees F and 90% relative humidity for 10 days. This helps develop a sweet taste and aroma. Following curing sweet potatoes can be stored in a cool, dark place for several months.
North Carolina produces roughly 70% of all the U.S. sweetpotatoes. Some of the varieties that do well in our area include Covington, Beauregard, Porto Rico and Murasaki (purple variety).
For more information about growing sweetpotatoes, or if you have other gardening questions, feel free to contact the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Office at 919-496-3344, or visit our website. Stay tuned for nutritional information about sweetpotatoes in the next Growing in Franklin article.