Sweet potatoes

[Thicko2006]

Can anyone educate me about the cultivation of sweet potatoes, please?

[Clanad]

Sweet potatoes (as opposed to yams) aren't grown from potatoe eyes or cut up sweet potatoes. They are grown from slips. These are ordered from suppliers and should arrive by early May. It is important though , that they noe be planted until soil temperature reaches at least 50deg F, preferably 60 deg F. They'll need a rich, moist soil and lots of sunlight... at least 6 hours a day, more is better. They grow a vine that will take quite a bit of space and then grow the tubers at the base of the vine, not unlike potatoes (to which they are not related). They don't need a lot of care. The vine is very leafy and does a pretty good job of keeping weeds down once it's established. Plenty of water though, at least an inch a week. They shouldn't need a lot of fertilizer, maybe just a little potassium. Keep in mind they won't do well and can be damaged if allowed to remain in the ground when the soil temperatures drop much below 65 to 70 degrees. This will require that you monitor the size of the tubers near the end of the growing season, since they won't increase much in size once cooler weather sets in... (Look for cold climate varieties, we use one developed my Morden Stations, in Canada). Best of luck!

[Thicko2006]

Thanks Clanad