If you’ve ever thought about growing sweet potatoes but weren’t sure where to start, you’re not alone. Every year I try to add grow something new in my garden, and this year when I saw the sweet potato slips at my local garden center, I knew that’s what I wanted to add to my garden. I love sweet potatoes and since adding two new raised beds last year, I finally have the space. I also have 5 extra grow bags that would be perfect for growing them in.
First Things First: What’s a Slip?
Sweet potatoes aren’t started from seeds like a lot of vegetables. Instead, you grow something called a slip — a small shoot that sprouts from a mature sweet potato.
You can buy slips from garden centers or online, but it’s just as easy (and more fun!) to grow your own. You will need to start your slips 4-6 weeks before planting time. I waited too late, so I had to buy mine. Next year I’ll get them growing in time.
Here’s how to do it:
-
Choose a healthy, organic sweet potato. (Conventional ones are sometimes treated to prevent sprouting.)
-
Cut it in half or leave it whole, and place it in a jar of water with toothpicks to hold it halfway submerged — like you might have done with an avocado pit as a kid.
-
Set the jar in a warm, sunny spot, like a windowsill.
-
In a few weeks, you’ll see little leafy sprouts popping up. Those are your slips!
-
When the slips are about 6 inches long, gently twist them off and put them in their own glass of water to grow roots. After a few days, they’ll be ready for planting.
When and Where to Plant
Sweet potatoes love warmth. Wait until the soil temperature is at least 60°F (and nighttime temperatures are consistently warm) before planting outside.
They’ll need about 3 to 4 months of frost-free growing time to produce a good harvest, so plan accordingly!
Choose a sunny spot with loose, well-drained soil. Raised beds work great because you can control the soil better, and it stays warmer.
Tip: If your soil is heavy clay, consider growing sweet potatoes in a big container or raised bed with sandy soil. They need room to stretch out underground!
How Long Until They’re Ready?
Sweet potatoes take about 90 to 120 days to mature, depending on the variety.
It’s a bit of a waiting game, but I can’t wait to try some homegrown sweet potatoes.
Sweet potatoes are pretty low-maintenance, but there are a few pests to keep an eye on:
-
Sweet potato weevils: Tiny insects that can cause major damage. They like to lay eggs in the stems and roots.
-
Wireworms and grubs: These pests chew holes in the roots.
-
Deer and rabbits: They’ll snack on the vines if they get the chance.
You can help protect your plants by using floating row covers or insect netting early on, rotating crops each year, and keeping your garden clean and weed-free.
Harvesting Sweet Potatoes
When the leaves start turning yellow and die back (usually after about 100 days), it’s harvest time!
Here’s how to do it:
-
Use a garden fork to gently lift the sweet potatoes out of the ground. Be careful — they bruise easily. You can also just reach down into the soil and feel around for the potatoes. (My preferred method)
-
Brush off excess soil, but don’t wash them yet.
-
Cure them in a warm, humid place (around 80°F if you can manage it) for about a week or two. This step helps the skins toughen up and makes them sweeter.
-
After curing, store them in a cool, dark spot. Sweet potatoes can last for several months when properly cured and stored!
Ready to grow more than sweet potatoes?