The growing sweet potatoes quick reference guide below is designed as a quick overview of growing sweet potatoes. For more details on the different stages from seed to harvest go to the related pages link.
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Veggie Garden Dairy | |
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Vegetable | Sweet Potato |
Also Known As | Kumara |
Botanical | Family - Convolvulaceae, Genus - Ipomoea, Species - I. batatas |
Plant Type | Warm season - perennial - root vegetable |
Frost Tolerance | Very Tender |
Planting Position | Grow in full sun - Requires at least 8-10 hours of direct sunlight daily. |
Seed Viability | 1 year |
Germination | Sweet potatoes set in sand for producing slips begin sprouting in 5-6 days at 70-95 F (21-35 C) |
Growing Temp | 70-95 F (21-35 C) |
Seed to Transplant | Slips ready 4-6 weeks from setting |
Planting Method | Slips or vine cuttings |
When to Plant | Spring |
Time to Plant | Wait until at least 2-3 weeks after the last average 32 F (0 C) freeze in your area and not before soil temperature are consistently 70 F (21 C) or above. |
Seed Sowing | Plant slips only |
Plant Spacing | Transplant slips - 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart with 3-4 feet (90-120 cm) between rows. |
Soil Conditions | Well drained - Low to moderate organic matter - low to medium fertility |
Fertilizer | Low fertilizer needs, 2-3 quarts per 100 sq feet (2.2-3.3 liters per 9.3 square meters) preplanting of All-Purpose 5-5-5 Organic Fertilizer
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When to Fertilize | 2 weeks before planting - use liquid starter fertilizer at time of planting slips - side-dress after plants have begun new growth. |
Days to Harvest | 90-150 days - depending on conditions and variety |
Comments |
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