How to plant sweet potatoes

Imagine stepping into your garden as spring weather begins to warm the soil, a sense of excitement bubbling within you. You’ve decided to add a new crop to your repertoire this year, something sweet and delicious–sweet potatoes! However, you find yourself wondering about the best practices to ensure a successful harvest. Fret not; you’re not alone in your curiosity; many budding gardeners seek guidance on how to plant sweet potatoes effectively.

To plant sweet potatoes, start by selecting healthy sweet potato slips or seedlings. Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil, ideally enriched with organic matter. Plant the slips about 12 inches apart, burying them up to the top leaves. Water them thoroughly after planting, and maintain moist soil throughout the growing season while avoiding waterlogging.

To dive deeper into the process of planting sweet potatoes, begin by preparing your garden bed. Choose a well-drained, sunny spot in your yard, as sweet potatoes thrive in warm conditions with plenty of sunlight–ideally six to eight hours a day. Before planting, amend the soil with organic matter, such as compost, to improve fertility and drainage.

Once your soil is prepared, you can purchase sweet potato slips–these are shoots that grow from mature sweet potatoes. It’s essential to select healthy slips, as they will directly affect your yield. When the soil temperature reaches about 65°F (18°C) or higher, typically after the last frost date in your region, you can start planting. Space the slips about 12 to 18 inches apart in rows that are 3 feet apart. Gently bury the slips up to their top leaves, ensuring they are well anchored in the soil.

After planting, water the slips thoroughly and continue to water them regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist throughout the growing season. It’s important to avoid overwatering, as excessive moisture can encourage rot. As the plants grow, they will produce vines that spread across the ground. You may wish to apply mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds, but ensure it doesn’t smother the plants. With patience and care, you can look forward to harvesting your sweet potatoes in approximately 90 to 120 days, when the leaves begin to yellow and the vines die back. Enjoy your gardening adventure!