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 Thursday, February 9, 2012
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Upcoming Events:
  • Subject: New Leaf Program
    Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    Location: Alexander City Senior Activity Center(Charles E. Bailey Sportplex), 1685 Arena Road, Alex City, AL
    Calendar: ACES Human Nutrition Diet & Health
    02/13 - New Leaf Program
  • Subject: County 4-H Public Speaking and Baked Foods Contest
    Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    Location: 125 N Broadnax St Dadeville Al - Courthouse
    Calendar: ACES 4-H & Youth Development
    02/16 - County 4-H Public Speaking and Baked Foods Contest
  • Subject: Pasture / Hayfield Improvement Series
    Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    Location: 1st Baptist Church, Dadeville Alabama
    Calendar: ACES Animal Science & Forages
    Event Website
    02/16 - Pasture / Hayfield Improvement Series
  • Subject: New Leaf Program
    Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    Location: Alexander City Senior Activity Center(Charles E. Bailey Sportplex), 1685 Arena Road, Alex City, AL
    Calendar: ACES Human Nutrition Diet & Health
    02/20 - New Leaf Program
  • Subject: Pasture / Hayfield Improvement Series
    Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    Location: 1st Baptist Church, Dadeville Alabama
    Calendar: ACES Animal Science & Forages
    Event Website
    02/23 - Pasture / Hayfield Improvement Series
  • Subject: New Leaf Program
    Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    Location: Alexander City Senior Activity Center(Charles E. Bailey Sportplex), 1685 Arena Road, Alex City, AL
    Calendar: ACES Human Nutrition Diet & Health
    02/27 - New Leaf Program
  • Subject: New Leaf Program
    Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    Location: Alexander City Senior Activity Center(Charles E. Bailey Sportplex), 1685 Arena Road, Alex City, AL
    Calendar: ACES Human Nutrition Diet & Health
    03/05 - New Leaf Program
  • Subject: New Leaf Program
    Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    Location: Alexander City Senior Activity Center(Charles E. Bailey Sportplex), 1685 Arena Road, Alex City, AL
    Calendar: ACES Human Nutrition Diet & Health
    03/12 - New Leaf Program
  • Subject: New Leaf Program Graduation
    Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    Location: Alexander City Senior Activity Center(Charles E. Bailey Sportplex), 1685 Arena Road, Alex City, AL
    Calendar: ACES Human Nutrition Diet & Health
    03/19 - New Leaf Program Graduation
  • Subject: Alabama BCIA Sponsored Cattlemen's College #3
    Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
    Location: 700 Monroe Street SW, Huntsville, AL 35801
    Calendar: ACES Animal Science & Forages
    Event Website
    03/31 - Alabama BCIA Sponsored Cattlemen's College #3



Click for the Tallapoosaville, AL Forecast


 

Sweet Potatoes

Season: Warm Weather
Spring Planting Dates: April 15 - June 15
(as transplants)
Day to Maturity: 70 - 90
Plant Size: 1' tall, 3-6' wide
Water Need: Low to Medium
Seeds or Plants/100 ft.: 100 plants
Spacing - Rows/Plants: 36" x 12"
Recommended Varieties: Beauregard, Georgia Red, Red Jewel


Sweet potatoes need a long growing season.  They do best in coarse textured soils that are well drained and relatively low in nitrogen.  Excessive nitrogen or heavy applications of animal manures can cause long spindly roots and low quality.  Heavy soils cause misshapen roots. 

Sweet potatoes are planted from transplants (slips) available from local nurseries or garden center.  Plant slips 2 to 3 inches deep in ridges or rows 42 to 48 inches apart.  Slips should be 12 inches apart in the row.  Plant 1 to 2 weeks after danger of last frost.  A second planting of sweet potatoes can be made with vine cuttings from the first planting. An 18-inch cutting can be directly stuck and rooted in moist ground. 

Potatoes are ready to harvest when the greatest number of 8- to 10-ounce potatoes are found under each plant.  Harvest before the first killing frost occurs to prevent injury to the potatoes.  Clip the vines before the frost occurs.  The crop can then be harvested easily with less damage to the potatoes.  To reduce rotting in storage, be sure potatoes are clean, dry, and injury-free. 

Cure sweet potatoes before storing.  Curing usually requires 7 to 10 days if the temperature is maintained at 80 to 85 ºF with 70 to 90 percent humidity.  After curing, keep the potatoes as near 65 ºF as possible with the humidity at 85 percent.


More Information:

A Sweet Potato Grower's Guide to Insect Pest Management
Field and Storage Diseases of Sweet Potatoes

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