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. |
