1. Start with Slips, Not Seeds

Sweet potatoes are grown from *slips* (sprouted shoots), not seeds.
You can buy slips online, at nurseries, or grow your own by sprouting a sweet potato in water or soil.

2. Choose the Right Spot

Full sun (at least 6–8 hours/day).
Warm soil is essential—sweet potatoes hate cold soil.

3. Soil Requirements

Loose, well-draining, slightly sandy soil works best.
Aim for pH between 5.8–6.5.
Avoid heavy clay (tubers will be small and misshapen).
Add compost, but don’t overdo nitrogen (too many leaves, fewer roots).

4. Planting Technique

Plant after the danger of frost has passed.
Space slips 12–18 inches apart, rows 3 feet apart (they vine out).
Bury the slip halfway (2-3 nodes underground).

5. Watering

Keep soil moist (not soaked) while slips establish.
Once growing, water deeply once per week.
Reduce watering 2–3 weeks before harvest to prevent splitting.

6. Weed & Mulch

Mulch helps retain moisture, prevents weeds, and warms the soil.
Weed before planting and throughout the season, if needed – sweet potato vines provide great ground cover.

7. Harvest Time

Ready in 90–120 days, or when leaves start yellowing.
Dig carefully to avoid damaging tubers.

8. Curing for Sweetness

Cure tubers at 80–85°F, 85–90% humidity, for 7–14 days.
This improves sweetness and storage life.

Nutritional Value

Sweet potatoes are considered a super food because they are:

High in beta-carotene (Vitamin A)
Good source of Vitamin C & B6
Rich in fiber, potassium, manganese
Low in fat and cholesterol-free

Great for:

Eye health
Immune system
Digestive health
Blood sugar regulation (especially orange and purple varieties)

Culinary Value

Extremely versatile:

Baked, roasted, fried, mashed
Soups & stews
Desserts (pies, breads, muffins)
Leaves are edible too (like spinach)

Economic Value

Produces a high yield per square foot.
Stores for months without refrigeration (after curing).
Market demand is strong due to health-food popularity.

Gardening Value

Attractive vines (also ornamental).
Drought-tolerant once established.
Improves soil structure due to deep roots.

Beauregard – fast, reliable, high yields
Georgia Jet – good for shorter seasons
Jewel – great flavor, stores well
Japanese (Murasaki) – dry, nutty, purple skin
Hannah – white flesh, mild flavor

Beauregard Sweet Potato Slip for Planting Available on Amazon

Centennial Sweet Potato Plants/Slips Available on Amazon

Red Garnet Sweet Potato Slips for Growing Available on Amazon

News About Sweet Pototoes Two Silly, Sweet Potato Poems Me and the Sweet Potato Popeye was always saying,       “I yam what I yam,” but me I’m a sweet potato man. My simple seeming sweet potato       is hardy enough to grow       in sandy, less fertile loam yet humble in its plentiful harvest –       versatile, too. What other underground growth       can be eaten roasted with butter, french fried and dipped in ketchup,       plus everyone’s favorite, yum-yum, “Sweet Tater Pie” and, oh,       there is bread, creme brulée       and so much more. On my tombstone, one day, it will say,       “I yum what I yum – the sweet potato man.” *** Harvesting Sweet Potatoes On harvesting the sweet potato Do not be shy or afraid-o       Pull them up from the ground       ‘Til every tuber’s found – As enjoyable as reading from Plato. ©2026 Carl Scott Harker, author of Some Highlights of Black History Comments Backyard Sweet Potatoes — No Comments Leave a Reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Comment * Name * Email * Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. HTML tags allowed in your comment: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong> ↑