What To Know
- Colorado’s high altitude and cool climate might seem like an unlikely haven for sweet potatoes, but with a little planning and know-how, you can enjoy these delicious tubers right in your own garden.
- This guide will walk you through the steps of how to grow sweet potato in Colorado, from choosing the right variety to harvesting your bounty.
- Store your cured sweet potatoes in a cool, dry place, such as a basement or pantry.
Colorado’s high altitude and cool climate might seem like an unlikely haven for sweet potatoes, but with a little planning and know-how, you can enjoy these delicious tubers right in your own garden. This guide will walk you through the steps of how to grow sweet potato in Colorado, from choosing the right variety to harvesting your bounty.
Understanding Colorado’s Climate and Sweet Potato Needs
Sweet potatoes thrive in warm, sunny conditions, making Colorado‘s climate a bit of a challenge. However, with careful planning and selection, you can still enjoy a successful harvest.
- Colorado’s Short Growing Season: The key to success is starting early and choosing varieties that mature quickly.
- Sunlight: Aim for a location with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Soil: Sweet potatoes prefer loose, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-6.5.
Choosing the Right Sweet Potato Variety
Not all sweet potato varieties are created equal. For Colorado, consider these tips:
- Early Maturity: Select varieties known for their fast growth and early maturity, like “Beauregard,” “Jewel,” or “Covington.”
- Cold Tolerance: While no sweet potato is truly cold-tolerant, some varieties handle cooler temperatures better than others. Look for varieties labeled as “northern-grown” or “short-season.”
Starting Your Sweet Potato Plants
You can start your sweet potato plants from slips or from seed.
- Slips: Slips are cuttings taken from mature sweet potato vines. They are the most common and easiest way to start sweet potatoes. Purchase slips from a local nursery or online, or try starting your own.
- Seeds: Starting sweet potatoes from seed is more challenging but can be rewarding. You’ll need to start the seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost.
Preparing Your Garden Bed
- Soil Amendments: Improve your soil’s drainage and fertility by adding compost, aged manure, or peat moss.
- Raised Beds: Consider building raised beds to improve drainage and warm the soil.
- Spacing: Space your sweet potato slips 12-18 inches apart in rows that are 3-4 feet wide.
Planting Your Sweet Potato Slips
- Timing: Plant your sweet potato slips after the last frost, typically in late May or early June in Colorado.
- Depth: Plant the slips about 2-3 inches deep, burying the entire slip except for the top 1-2 inches.
- Watering: Water your slips thoroughly after planting and keep the soil consistently moist.
Caring for Your Sweet Potato Plants
- Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry periods. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy.
- Weeding: Keep your garden bed weed-free. Weeds compete with your sweet potato plants for nutrients and water.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize your plants every 4-6 weeks with a balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10.
Harvesting Your Sweet Potatoes
- Timing: Sweet potatoes are ready to harvest about 100-120 days after planting, usually in September or October in Colorado.
- Signs of Maturity: The leaves will start to turn brown and die back. The vines will feel dry and brittle.
- Harvesting: Use a garden fork to carefully lift the sweet potatoes from the soil.
Storing Your Sweet Potatoes
- Curing: After harvesting, cure your sweet potatoes in a warm, dry place for 1-2 weeks. This will help them develop their sweetness and improve their storage life.
- Storage: Store your cured sweet potatoes in a cool, dry place, such as a basement or pantry. They should keep for several months.
Sweet Potato Success in Colorado: A Rewarding Journey
Growing sweet potatoes in Colorado requires a little extra effort, but the rewards are well worth it. By carefully selecting your variety, starting early, and providing proper care, you can enjoy delicious, homegrown sweet potatoes even in the high altitude.
Questions You May Have
Q: What if my sweet potato plants don‘t produce tubers?
A: There are a few reasons why your sweet potato plants might not produce tubers. The most common reason is a lack of warmth. Sweet potatoes need warm soil temperatures (at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit) to produce tubers. If your soil is too cool, your plants may not produce tubers. Another reason could be insufficient sunlight. Make sure your plants are getting at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Q: Can I grow sweet potatoes in containers in Colorado?
A: Yes, you can grow sweet potatoes in containers in Colorado. Choose a container that is at least 12 inches deep and wide. Use a well-draining potting mix and make sure the container has drainage holes. Place the container in a sunny location and water regularly.
Q: What are some tips for protecting my sweet potato plants from frost?
A: In Colorado, frost can be a challenge for growing sweet potatoes. Here are some tips for protecting your plants:
- Plant late: Wait until after the last frost to plant your sweet potato slips.
- Use row covers: Row covers can help to protect your plants from frost.
- Mulch: Mulch around your plants to help insulate the soil and protect the roots from frost.
- Move plants indoors: If you are expecting a late frost, you can move your sweet potato plants indoors to a sunny windowsill.
Q: When is the best time to start sweet potato slips from a sweet potato?
A: The best time to start sweet potato slips is in late winter or early spring, about 6-8 weeks before the last frost. You can start them indoors in a warm, sunny location.
Q: What are some common pests and diseases that affect sweet potato plants?
A: Sweet potato plants can be susceptible to a few pests and diseases, including:
- Sweet potato weevils: These beetles can damage the leaves and stems of sweet potato plants.
- Sweet potato whitefly: These insects can suck the sap from the leaves of sweet potato plants, causing them to wilt and die.
- Sweet potato root knot nematodes: These microscopic worms can damage the roots of sweet potato plants, causing them to become stunted and produce fewer tubers.
- Sweet potato leaf curl virus: This virus can cause the leaves of sweet potato plants to become curled and distorted.
If you notice any signs of pests or diseases, take steps to control them as soon as possible. You can use insecticidal soap or neem oil to control insects, and you can use a fungicide to control fungal diseases.
