What To Know
- This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to grow sweet potato greenhouse, from selecting the right variety to harvesting your sweet treats.
- This variety boasts a deep red skin and a vibrant orange flesh with a sweet, creamy flavor.
- Once your slips are planted, you’ll need to provide them with the right care to ensure a bountiful harvest.
Growing your own sweet potatoes can be a rewarding experience, offering a delicious and nutritious harvest. But what if you want to extend your growing season or live in a region with less-than-ideal weather? That’s where a greenhouse comes in! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to grow sweet potato greenhouse, from selecting the right variety to harvesting your sweet treats.
Choosing the Right Sweet Potato Variety for Your Greenhouse
Not all sweet potato varieties are created equal. Some are better suited for greenhouse growing than others. Here’s what to consider:
- Maturity: Choose a variety with a shorter maturity period, ideally around 90-120 days. This will ensure you can harvest your sweet potatoes before the weather turns cold.
- Size: Consider the size of your greenhouse and the space you have available. Some varieties grow larger than others.
- Flavor: Do you prefer sweet, starchy, or even a bit spicy? Explore different varieties to find the perfect flavor profile for your taste buds.
Some popular varieties for greenhouse growing include:
- Beauregard: This classic variety is known for its vibrant orange flesh and sweet flavor.
- Covington: Another popular choice, Covington offers a balance of sweetness and starchiness.
- Jewel: This variety boasts a deep red skin and a vibrant orange flesh with a sweet, creamy flavor.
Setting Up Your Greenhouse for Sweet Potatoes
Before you start planting, it’s crucial to create the right environment for your sweet potato vines to thrive.
- Soil: Sweet potatoes prefer loose, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Consider using a potting mix specifically designed for vegetables or a blend of compost, peat moss, and perlite.
- Temperature: Sweet potatoes need warm temperatures to grow. Aim for a minimum of 70°F (21°C) during the day and 60°F (16°C) at night. You can use a greenhouse heater to maintain optimal temperatures, especially during cooler months.
- Sunlight: Sweet potatoes need plenty of sunlight. Ensure your greenhouse has ample sunlight exposure, ideally at least 6 hours per day.
- Humidity: Sweet potatoes thrive in moderate humidity levels. You can increase humidity by misting the plants or using a humidifier.
Planting Your Sweet Potato Slips
Sweet potatoes are not planted from seeds, but from slips. These are small shoots that grow from the sweet potato tuber. Here’s how to plant your slips:
1. Prepare the soil: Fill your greenhouse containers or beds with the prepared soil mix.
2. Plant the slips: Create a small hole in the soil, about 2-3 inches deep. Place the slip in the hole, ensuring the stem is buried.
3. Water thoroughly: Water the slips deeply after planting.
4. Spacing: Space the slips 12-18 inches apart to allow for proper growth and airflow.
Caring for Your Sweet Potatoes in the Greenhouse
Once your slips are planted, you’ll need to provide them with the right care to ensure a bountiful harvest.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot. Water deeply and allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
- Fertilizing: Sweet potatoes are heavy feeders. Feed them regularly with a balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.
- Trellising: As your sweet potato vines grow, they can become quite long and sprawling. Consider using trellises to support the vines and keep them off the ground. This will improve airflow, reduce disease, and make harvesting easier.
- Pest and Disease Control: Monitor your plants for signs of pests or diseases. Treat any issues promptly to prevent them from spreading.
Harvesting Your Sweet Potatoes
Your sweet potatoes will be ready for harvest around 90-120 days after planting. Here’s how to know when they are ready:
- Leaves: The leaves will start to turn yellow and die back.
- Tuber size: The tubers should be at least 4 inches long.
To harvest your sweet potatoes:
1. Water the plants: Water the plants thoroughly a day or two before harvesting.
2. Dig carefully: Use a garden fork or trowel to carefully dig around the tubers. Be careful not to damage them.
3. Handle gently: Once you’ve dug up the tubers, handle them gently. Sweet potatoes are easily bruised.
4. Cure the tubers: After harvesting, cure the tubers in a warm, dry place for 7-10 days. This will help them develop their flavor and keep longer.
Beyond the Harvest: Storing and Using Your Sweet Potatoes
Once your sweet potatoes are cured, they can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to several months.
- Storage: Store them in a crate or basket lined with newspaper, ensuring good airflow.
- Using: Sweet potatoes are incredibly versatile. Enjoy them baked, roasted, mashed, fried, or even in soups and stews.
Sweet Success: A Recap of Greenhouse Sweet Potato Growing
Growing sweet potatoes in a greenhouse can be a rewarding experience. By following these steps, you can enjoy fresh, delicious sweet potatoes all year round.
- Choose the right variety: Select a variety that matures quickly and is well-suited for greenhouse growing.
- Set up your greenhouse: Create a warm, sunny, and humid environment with well-draining soil.
- Plant your slips: Plant your sweet potato slips in prepared soil, spacing them appropriately.
- Provide proper care: Water, fertilize, and trellis your plants regularly.
- Harvest your sweet potatoes: Harvest your sweet potatoes when they are mature and cure them properly.
- Store and enjoy: Store your sweet potatoes in a cool, dark place and enjoy them in a variety of dishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I grow sweet potatoes from seed in a greenhouse?
A: No, sweet potatoes are not grown from seed. You must use slips, which are small shoots that grow from the sweet potato tuber.
Q: How often should I fertilize my sweet potato plants?
A: Sweet potatoes are heavy feeders and should be fertilized every 2-3 weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
Q: What are some common pests and diseases that affect sweet potatoes?
A: Common pests include sweet potato weevils, aphids, and whiteflies. Common diseases include sweet potato root rot, foliar blight, and stem rot.
Q: Can I grow sweet potatoes in a small greenhouse?
A: Yes, you can grow sweet potatoes in a small greenhouse. Just choose a variety that is suitable for container growing and plant them in containers with ample drainage.
Q: How do I know if my sweet potatoes are ready to harvest?
A: You can tell your sweet potatoes are ready to harvest when the leaves start to turn yellow and die back, and the tubers are at least 4 inches long.
