How To Grow Sweet Potatoes In The Ground – Your Expert Guide To A

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Dreaming of harvesting your very own delicious sweet potatoes, but feeling a little unsure where to start? You’re not alone! Many aspiring gardeners imagine pulling those vibrant tubers from the soil, but sometimes the path to get there seems a bit mysterious. Don’t worry, my friend, you’ve come to the right place!

I promise that by the end of this comprehensive guide, you’ll have all the expert insights and practical steps you need to successfully grow sweet potatoes in the ground, even if you’re a beginner. We’ll cover everything from preparing your soil and planting your slips to nurturing your vines and harvesting a truly abundant crop. Get ready to transform your garden into a sweet potato paradise!

Let’s dig in and unlock the secrets to a thriving sweet potato patch!

Getting Started: The Essentials for How to Grow Sweet Potatoes in the Ground

Before you even think about putting a shovel in the dirt, a little preparation goes a long way. Understanding the basics of what sweet potatoes love will set you up for success. This foundational knowledge is key for anyone looking to master how to grow sweet potatoes in the ground successfully.

Choosing Your Sweet Potato Slips

Sweet potatoes aren’t typically grown from seeds or whole potatoes directly. Instead, you’ll start with “slips” – these are sprouts that grow from a mature sweet potato. You can buy them from reputable nurseries or online suppliers, or even grow your own from a grocery store sweet potato (we’ll touch on that later).

  • Variety Selection: Research varieties that do well in your climate. Some are better for shorter growing seasons, while others are known for their disease resistance or specific flavor profiles.
  • Healthy Slips: Look for slips that are vibrant green, sturdy, and free of any yellowing or signs of disease. They should be about 6-12 inches long.

Ideal Soil Conditions for Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are relatively forgiving, but they truly thrive in specific soil types. Think loose, well-draining, and rich in organic matter. This is one of the most crucial how to grow sweet potatoes in the ground tips for a generous yield.

  • Loamy and Sandy Soil: They prefer sandy loam. Heavy clay soils can impede tuber development, leading to smaller, misshapen potatoes. If you have clay soil, amend it heavily with compost and sand.
  • pH Level: Aim for a soil pH between 5.8 and 6.2. A soil test will give you the most accurate reading.
  • Nutrient Balance: Sweet potatoes need phosphorus and potassium for good root development, but too much nitrogen can lead to lush vine growth at the expense of tubers.

Sunlight and Warmth: The Sweet Potato’s Best Friends

Sweet potatoes are tropical plants at heart. They absolutely adore the sun and warmth. Without enough of both, your harvest will suffer.

  • Full Sun: Choose a spot in your garden that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
  • Warmth is Key: Don’t rush planting! Soil temperatures should be consistently above 60°F (15°C), ideally closer to 65-70°F (18-21°C), and all danger of frost should be long past. Planting too early in cold soil is a common mistake and can lead to stunted growth or no tubers at all.

Planting Your Sweet Potato Slips: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that your slips are ready and your soil is prepped, it’s time for the exciting part: planting! Following these steps will ensure your plants get the best possible start when you’re learning how to grow sweet potatoes in the ground.

Preparing Your Garden Bed

Before planting, make sure your bed is thoroughly prepared. This is where you can incorporate some sustainable how to grow sweet potatoes in the ground practices.

  • Weed Removal: Clear the area of all weeds. Sweet potatoes don’t like competition.
  • Amendments: Work in plenty of well-rotted compost or other organic matter. This improves soil structure, drainage, and fertility.
  • Mounding (Optional but Recommended): Many gardeners find success planting sweet potatoes on mounds or raised beds about 8-12 inches high and 12-18 inches wide. This helps warm the soil faster, improves drainage, and gives the tubers more room to expand, leading to larger, better-shaped sweet potatoes.

The Planting Process

Planting slips is straightforward, but a few details make a big difference.

  1. Space Them Out: Plant your slips about 12-18 inches apart in rows that are 3-4 feet apart. If you’re using mounds, space them 12 inches apart on the top of the mound.
  2. Bury Deep: Bury the slip deep enough so that at least 2-3 nodes (the bumps where leaves or roots emerge) are beneath the soil surface. Roots will form from these nodes.
  3. Firm the Soil: Gently firm the soil around each slip to ensure good soil-to-root contact.

Initial Watering and Care

The first few days after planting are crucial for establishing your young sweet potato plants.

  • Immediate Watering: Water thoroughly immediately after planting. This helps settle the soil around the slips.
  • Consistent Moisture: Keep the soil consistently moist (but not waterlogged) for the first week or two. This helps the slips establish a strong root system.
  • Shade (Optional): If you’re experiencing a heatwave right after planting, providing temporary shade for a few days can help prevent transplant shock.

Nurturing Your Crop: Ongoing Care for Sweet Potatoes

Once your sweet potato slips are in the ground and established, it’s time to provide them with the ongoing care they need to produce a fantastic harvest. This is your essential how to grow sweet potatoes in the ground care guide.

Watering Wisely

Sweet potatoes need consistent moisture, especially during tuber formation, but they don’t like soggy feet.

  • Regular Watering: Aim for about 1 inch of water per week, either from rain or irrigation.
  • Deep Watering: Water deeply and less frequently rather than shallowly and often. This encourages roots to grow deeper, making the plants more resilient.
  • Reduce Towards Harvest: As harvest time approaches (the last 3-4 weeks), you can slightly reduce watering. This can help prevent cracking and improve storage quality.
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Fertilization for Vigorous Growth

Remember, sweet potatoes prioritize root development. Therefore, a balanced approach to fertilization is key.

  • Low Nitrogen: Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which promote leafy growth at the expense of tubers.
  • Balanced or High Phosphorus/Potassium: A balanced fertilizer (e.g., 5-10-10) or one higher in phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) is generally best.
  • Side Dressing: If your soil is poor, you can side-dress with compost or a balanced organic fertilizer about 4-6 weeks after planting.

Pest and Disease Management

While relatively tough, sweet potatoes can face some challenges. Being proactive is part of how to grow sweet potatoes in the ground best practices.

  • Common Pests: Watch out for sweet potato weevils, flea beetles, and wireworms. Weevils are particularly destructive.
  • Inspection: Regularly inspect your plants for signs of pests or disease. Early detection is crucial.
  • Organic Solutions: For most common pests, hand-picking, neem oil, or insecticidal soap can be effective. Crop rotation (which we’ll discuss later) is also a powerful preventative measure.
  • Disease Prevention: Good air circulation, proper watering, and healthy soil are your best defenses against fungal diseases.

Vining Habits and Pruning (Pro Tip!)

Sweet potato vines can spread quite vigorously. While you might be tempted to prune them back, resist the urge to do so extensively, as the leaves are vital for photosynthesis and feeding the tubers.

  • Let Them Roam: Allow the vines to spread. They will root along the nodes as they grow, which helps stabilize the plant and absorb more nutrients.
  • Avoid Severing Vines: Don’t cut the main vines back unless absolutely necessary for space. Each vine contributes to the energy production for the tubers below ground.
  • “Hill” the Vines: As vines grow, you can gently lift them and ensure they don’t root too much in areas where you don’t want tubers to form. This can concentrate tuber growth where you want it.

Harvesting Your Bounty: When and How to Reclaim Your Sweet Potatoes

After months of care, the moment arrives to uncover your hidden treasures! Knowing exactly when and how to harvest is essential for delicious, long-lasting sweet potatoes. This is the rewarding culmination of your efforts to grow sweet potatoes in the ground.

Signs of Maturity

Timing your harvest correctly is vital. Sweet potatoes are usually ready in 90-120 days, depending on the variety and your climate.

  • Yellowing Leaves: The most common sign is when the leaves start to yellow and die back, usually after the first light frost. A light frost can actually sweeten the tubers, but a hard freeze can damage them.
  • Days from Planting: Keep track of your planting date and the recommended maturity time for your specific variety.
  • Test Digging: If you’re unsure, gently dig around one plant. If the tubers are a good size, it’s time to harvest.

The Digging Process

Sweet potato tubers are delicate. Handle them with care to avoid bruising, which can lead to rot in storage.

  1. Choose a Dry Day: Dig when the soil is relatively dry. This makes digging easier and prevents soil from clinging excessively to the potatoes.
  2. Clear the Vines: Cut back the vines a day or two before harvesting to make digging easier.
  3. Dig Carefully: Use a garden fork or spade, starting about 12-18 inches away from the main stem to avoid puncturing the tubers. Gently loosen the soil and lift the entire plant, tubers and all.
  4. Brush, Don’t Wash: Gently brush off excess soil. Do not wash the sweet potatoes at this stage, as moisture can encourage rot during curing.

Curing and Storage for Longevity

Curing is a critical step that enhances flavor, toughens the skin, and significantly improves storage life. Don’t skip it!

  • Curing Conditions: Cure sweet potatoes in a warm (80-85°F / 27-29°C) and humid (85-90% relative humidity) environment for 5-14 days. A shed, garage, or even a warm room with a humidifier can work.
  • Post-Curing Storage: After curing, store sweet potatoes in a cool (55-60°F / 13-16°C), dark, and moderately humid place (like a root cellar or cool pantry). Do not refrigerate, as this can damage them.
  • Enjoy! Properly cured and stored sweet potatoes can last for several months, providing you with delicious homegrown goodness all winter long.

Common Problems When Growing Sweet Potatoes in the Ground (and How to Fix Them)

Even with the best intentions, gardeners sometimes encounter challenges. Being prepared for common problems with how to grow sweet potatoes in the ground will help you troubleshoot and save your harvest.

Small or No Tubers

This is a common disappointment, but usually, it’s due to a few fixable factors.

  • Too Much Nitrogen: Excess nitrogen fertilizer promotes leafy growth at the expense of root development. Use a balanced or low-nitrogen fertilizer.
  • Insufficient Sunlight: Sweet potatoes need full sun. If they’re shaded, they won’t produce well.
  • Cold Soil/Short Season: Planting too early in cold soil or having a short growing season can prevent tubers from forming or sizing up. Wait until soil temperatures are consistently warm.
  • Poor Drainage/Compacted Soil: Heavy, compacted soil restricts tuber expansion. Amend your soil with organic matter and consider raised beds.

Pest Infestations

While relatively pest-resistant, some critters can cause trouble.

  • Sweet Potato Weevil: This is the most serious pest. Preventative measures like crop rotation, using certified weevil-free slips, and good sanitation are key. Infested plants should be removed.
  • Flea Beetles: Small holes in leaves are a sign. Row covers can protect young plants.
  • Wireworms: These chew holes in tubers. Rotate crops and avoid planting in recently tilled grassy areas.

Disease Prevention

Healthy plants are your best defense against diseases.

  • Root Rot: Caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Ensure well-draining soil and avoid soggy conditions.
  • Fungal Leaf Spots: Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering, especially in humid conditions.
  • Start with Healthy Slips: Always begin with disease-free slips from a trusted source.
  • Crop Rotation: Never plant sweet potatoes in the same spot year after year. Rotate your crops to break pest and disease cycles.

Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Practices for Growing Sweet Potatoes

Embracing sustainable methods not only benefits the environment but often leads to healthier plants and richer harvests. Integrating these eco-friendly how to grow sweet potatoes in the ground techniques is a win-win.

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Crop Rotation Benefits

This simple practice is one of the most effective organic strategies.

  • Breaks Pest Cycles: Moving sweet potatoes to a new spot each year confuses pests and prevents them from building up in the soil.
  • Prevents Disease: Many soil-borne diseases are specific to certain plant families. Rotation reduces their prevalence.
  • Nutrient Cycling: Different plants use different nutrients. Rotating helps balance soil fertility.

Companion Planting

Some plants grow better together, providing mutual benefits.

  • Marigolds: Can deter nematodes and other pests.
  • Bush Beans: Fix nitrogen in the soil, which can benefit sweet potatoes (though sweet potatoes don’t need excessive nitrogen).
  • Thyme and Oregano: Can attract beneficial insects.

Organic Pest Control

Chemical pesticides can harm beneficial insects and the environment. Opt for natural solutions.

  • Hand-Picking: For larger pests, simply remove them by hand.
  • Neem Oil: A natural insecticide that disrupts pest life cycles.
  • Beneficial Insects: Encourage ladybugs, lacewings, and other predators by planting flowers that attract them.

Water Conservation

Water is a precious resource. Smart watering practices are key to sustainable how to grow sweet potatoes in the ground.

  • Mulching: Apply a thick layer of organic mulch (straw, shredded leaves) around your plants. This conserves soil moisture, suppresses weeds, and regulates soil temperature.
  • Drip Irrigation: Delivers water directly to the root zone, minimizing evaporation.
  • Rain Barrels: Collect rainwater for use in your garden.

Advanced Tips & Best Practices for How to Grow Sweet Potatoes in the Ground

Ready to take your sweet potato growing to the next level? These additional how to grow sweet potatoes in the ground best practices and insights will help you maximize your yield and enjoy even greater success.

Hill vs. Row Planting

While we touched on mounds, let’s elaborate on the choice.

  • Hills: Often preferred for home gardens. They warm faster, improve drainage, and give tubers more room to expand, leading to larger, better-shaped potatoes.
  • Rows: More common for large-scale commercial operations. Can be easier to irrigate and manage with equipment. For home gardeners, if you have very loose, sandy soil, rows can work well.

Extending Your Season

If you live in a cooler climate, you might feel limited, but there are tricks!

  • Black Plastic Mulch: Laying black plastic over your beds a few weeks before planting will significantly warm the soil, giving your sweet potatoes a head start.
  • Row Covers: Can provide a few degrees of frost protection at the beginning and end of the season.
  • Early Varieties: Choose sweet potato varieties with shorter maturity dates.

Saving Your Own Slips

Want to be truly self-sufficient? You can grow slips from your own sweet potatoes!

  1. Select a Healthy Tuber: Choose a disease-free, medium-sized sweet potato from your harvest.
  2. Sprout in Water or Soil: You can suspend the sweet potato in a jar of water (half submerged) or bury it halfway in moist potting mix in a warm spot.
  3. Harvest Slips: Once the sprouts are 6-12 inches long, gently twist or cut them off the potato. Place the cut end in a jar of water for a few days to root before planting.

Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Sweet Potatoes in Your Garden

Here are some common questions gardeners ask about how to grow sweet potatoes in the ground.

Can I grow sweet potatoes from a store-bought sweet potato?

Yes, absolutely! This is a fantastic way to get started. Simply place a healthy sweet potato in a jar of water, half submerged, in a warm, sunny spot. Once slips form and are 6-12 inches long, gently twist them off and root them in water before planting.

How long does it take to grow sweet potatoes?

Sweet potatoes typically take between 90 to 120 days from planting slips to harvest, depending on the specific variety and your local growing conditions. Some varieties mature faster, while others need a longer season.

Do sweet potatoes need a lot of water?

Sweet potatoes need consistent moisture, especially during the crucial tuber development stage. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation. However, they do not tolerate soggy, waterlogged soil, which can lead to rot.

What’s the difference between sweet potatoes and yams?

Despite often being used interchangeably in grocery stores, true yams and sweet potatoes are distinct plants. Sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are typically sweeter with orange, white, or purple flesh. True yams (Dioscorea species) are starchy, less sweet, and have rough, bark-like skin. What’s often sold as a “yam” in North America is usually a soft-fleshed sweet potato variety.

Why aren’t my sweet potatoes forming tubers?

Several factors can lead to a lack of tubers. The most common reasons include insufficient sunlight, soil that is too cold, too much nitrogen fertilizer (which promotes leafy growth), compacted or heavy clay soil, or simply not enough time in the ground for the tubers to develop.

Conclusion

There you have it, fellow gardener! You’re now equipped with a wealth of knowledge on how to grow sweet potatoes in the ground, from selecting the perfect slips to harvesting and curing your magnificent tubers. Growing sweet potatoes is an incredibly rewarding experience, offering both delicious, nutritious food and the satisfaction of harvesting something truly special from your own garden.

Remember, gardening is a journey of learning and discovery. Don’t be afraid to experiment, observe your plants, and adapt your techniques. With a little patience, care, and the practical advice shared here, you’re well on your way to enjoying bountiful sweet potato harvests year after year.

So, grab those slips, prepare your soil, and get ready to experience the joy of homegrown sweet potatoes. Happy gardening!

Rimon Chowdhury
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