Sweet Potato takes about 4 weeks and at least three months until harvest.
Growing sweet potatoes in grow bags is a great option, especially if you have limited space or poor soil quality. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to grow sweet potatoes in grow bags:
Materials Needed:
Sweet Potato Slips: Purchase or propagate sweet potato slips. You can often find sweet potato slips at a local nursery or garden center. If you can't find slips, you can grow them yourself by sprouting sweet potato tubers in water.
Grow Bags: Choose large grow bags (at least 5 gallons in size) with good drainage. The fabric grow bags are a good choice as they allow for air pruning of roots.
Potting Mix: Use a well-draining potting mix that is rich in organic matter. You can also mix in some compost for added nutrients.
Fertilizer: Choose a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer or one that's higher in potassium (the third number in the N-P-K ratio). Sweet potatoes benefit from potassium for tuber development.
Steps:
Prepare the Grow Bags:
Fill the grow bags with the potting mix, leaving a few inches from the top.
Water the soil thoroughly before planting.
Plant Sweet Potato Slips:
Plant the sweet potato slips about 4-6 inches deep in the soil, leaving a foot or more between slips.
If using more than one slip per bag, space them at least 12-18 inches apart.
Watering:
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Sweet potatoes like well-draining soil.
Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Sunlight:
Sweet potatoes prefer full sunlight. Ensure they receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Support and Training:
As the vines grow, you may want to provide some support. You can use stakes or a trellis to help support the vines.
Train the vines to grow upward rather than spreading out too much.
Fertilization:
Fertilize the sweet potatoes with a balanced fertilizer about a month after planting.
Avoid excessive nitrogen, as this can result in lush foliage but fewer tubers.
Harvesting:
Sweet potatoes are ready to harvest when the leaves begin to yellow and die back, usually around 90 to 120 days after planting.
Gently dig up the sweet potatoes, being careful not to damage the tubers.
Curing:
After harvesting, cure the sweet potatoes by letting them dry in a warm, humid place for about 10 days. This helps them develop a sweeter taste and improves storage.
Growing sweet potatoes in grow bags allows for easy harvesting, better pest control, and mobility if needed. Just make sure the bags have good drainage and the plants receive adequate sunlight and care throughout the growing season.
Companion Plants:
Companion planting is the practice of growing different plants together to achieve benefits such as improved growth, pest control, and enhanced flavor. When it comes to sweet potatoes, there are several companion plants that can be beneficial. Here are some options:
Beans (Bush and Pole Beans):
Beans, like bush or pole beans, are good companions for sweet potatoes. They help fix nitrogen in the soil, which can benefit the growth of sweet potatoes.
Corn:
Corn is another nitrogen-fixing plant that can complement sweet potatoes. Additionally, corn can provide some shade to the sweet potato plants.
Lettuce and Spinach:
Leafy greens like lettuce and spinach can be grown as a ground cover between sweet potato plants. They help conserve soil moisture and provide some protection against weeds.
Onions:
Onions are believed to deter pests that may affect sweet potatoes. Additionally, onions can help repel some insects that may be harmful to sweet potatoes.
Garlic:
Similar to onions, garlic has insect-repelling properties and can be a good companion for sweet potatoes.
Oregano:
Oregano is a herb that can act as a natural pest repellent. Planting oregano near sweet potatoes may help keep pests at bay.
Marigolds:
Marigolds are known for their ability to repel nematodes, which can be harmful to sweet potatoes. Planting marigolds around sweet potatoes can provide some protection against these soil-borne pests.
Tarragon:
Tarragon is another herb that can be grown as a companion to sweet potatoes. It may help deter pests and enhance the flavor of nearby plants.
Nasturtiums:
Nasturtiums are not only attractive but can also act as a trap crop, luring pests away from sweet potatoes. They are also believed to repel certain insects.
Borage:
Borage is a companion plant that attracts pollinators. Having borage near sweet potatoes can encourage pollination and potentially increase yields.
Sweet potatoes should not be planted near squashes, sunflowers or tomatoes.
How do I fertilize my Sweet Potatoes?
Bone meal, kelp meal, and green sand are my favorite organic choices for sweet potatoes that are lower in nitrogen than potassium and phosphorus. Do not over-fertilize! Sweet potatoes are not heavy feeders, so these should just be an occasional snack.
What bugs attack Sweet potatoes and what gets rid of them?
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White flies will suck out the plant juice with their sharp mouthparts and this will make them shrivel or dry. The cilantro leaves also will turn yellow or appear stunted. This is from the larvae. Adult whiteflies cause indirect damage by leaving their eggs and larvae behind.
Whiteflies look like tiny white aphids with pointed wings and a brown or dark head. They’re easy to see with the naked eye.
Prune and clean any damaged foliage. Remove them entirely because it’s likely infected with plant bacteria and eggs.
Next, you’ll need to clean. Soapy water can sterilize whitefly populations. Spray your cilantro down with a mixture of soap and water. It should kill them upon contact.
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The sweet potato weevil is a serious pest of sweet potatoes but occurs only in certain parts of South Carolina, mostly in the coastal counties (Charleston, Berkeley, Jasper, Colleton, and Beaufort).
Adult sweet potato weevils are ant-like beetles about ¼-inch long. The head and wing covers are metallic dark blue and the thorax (chest region) and legs are bright orange red.
Pheromone-baited traps are found to be effective in reducing the weevil numbers and the damage due to sweet potato weevil.
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Since they’re so small, they hide, feed, and breed without human intervention. These mites have piercing mouthparts which they use to poke holes in the leaves of your plant.
Spider mites can be controlled using some rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab.
You can dip the cotton swab into the alcohol and then swab your plant. This will instantly kill any mites it touches.
Soapy water also works wonders. Just dilute some drops of dish soap into a quart of water.
What soil pH is best for Sweet Potatoes?
Sweet potatoes prefer a fertile, well-drained, loose, deep, slightly acidic, fine sandy loam or very sandy soil. A soil pH of 5.5-6.5 is perfect for better growth. Develop problem soils by adding compost, well-rotted manure and organic matter, prior to planting.
How do you store Sweet Potatoes?
Avoid storing sweet potatoes in the refrigerator, which will produce a hard center and unpleasant taste. Instead, store your sweet potatoes in a cool, dry, well ventilated container. For best results, store them in a basement, pantry or root cellar away from strong heat sources.
Interesting facts:
Sweet potatoes and yams are not the same plant.
You can eat the whole plant.
America has been growing the most sweet potatoes since WWII.
About 2.5 billion pounds of sweet potatoes are produced each year in the US alone! 260 billion pounds are produced globally!
Sweet potatoes are actually flowers! They are actually related to the morning glory flower and the flower that blooms from the sweet potato plant looks much like a morning glory.
Sweet potatoes come in many different colors like orange, white, yellow, red and purple. The taste, texture, flavor, and nutritional content differs among the varieties. Orange sweet potatoes are the sweetest of them all.
Medicinal uses for Sweet Potatoes:
Sweet potatoes are not only a delicious and nutritious food, but they also have some potential medicinal properties. While more research is needed to fully understand and confirm these benefits, some studies suggest that sweet potatoes may have various health-promoting properties. Here are some potential medicinal uses for sweet potatoes:
Anti-Inflammatory Properties:
Sweet potatoes contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that may help reduce inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is associated with various diseases, including heart disease and certain types of cancer.
Blood Sugar Regulation:
Sweet potatoes have a lower glycemic index compared to regular potatoes, which means they may have a smaller impact on blood sugar levels. This makes them a potentially beneficial food for individuals with diabetes or those looking to manage blood sugar.
Rich in Nutrients:
Sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, manganese, and potassium. These nutrients play essential roles in supporting overall health, immune function, and bone health.
Digestive Health:
The fiber content in sweet potatoes can contribute to digestive health. Fiber aids in digestion, helps prevent constipation, and supports a healthy gut microbiome.
Eye Health:
Sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene, which the body can convert into vitamin A. Vitamin A is crucial for maintaining healthy eyes, and a deficiency can lead to night blindness.
Anticancer Potential:
Some studies suggest that the antioxidants in sweet potatoes, including beta-carotene, may have potential anticancer properties. These antioxidants help neutralize free radicals that can contribute to the development of cancer.
Heart Health:
The fiber, potassium, and antioxidants in sweet potatoes may contribute to heart health by helping to regulate blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels, and support overall cardiovascular function.
Immune System Support:
The vitamin A content in sweet potatoes is essential for a well-functioning immune system. It plays a role in the development and maintenance of the skin, which serves as a barrier against infections.
Anti-Stress Properties:
Sweet potatoes contain magnesium, which is known to have anti-stress and relaxation-promoting properties. Magnesium plays a role in nerve function and may contribute to a sense of calm.