What To Know
- This guide will walk you through the process of how to grow sweet potato that have sprouted, from preparing your sweet potato to harvesting your own delicious tubers.
- Sprouted sweet potatoes root quickly, allowing you to enjoy fresh sweet potatoes in a shorter time frame compared to starting from seeds.
- Leave the cut sections in a dry, well-ventilated area for a day or two to allow the cut ends to callous over.
Have you ever found a sweet potato in your pantry with green shoots poking out? You might be tempted to throw it away, but don’t! Those sprouts are actually a sign of life, and they can be used to grow a delicious and nutritious crop of your own. This guide will walk you through the process of how to grow sweet potato that have sprouted, from preparing your sweet potato to harvesting your own delicious tubers.
Why Grow From Sprouts?
Growing sweet potatoes from sprouts offers several advantages:
- Easy and Inexpensive: You can start your sweet potato garden with a single sprouted tuber, making it a budget-friendly option.
- Quick Results: Sprouted sweet potatoes root quickly, allowing you to enjoy fresh sweet potatoes in a shorter time frame compared to starting from seeds.
- Unique Varieties: If you’re looking for a particular type of sweet potato, you can often find sprouted tubers from local farmers or online sources, ensuring you get the variety you desire.
Choosing the Right Sweet Potato
Not all sweet potatoes are created equal when it comes to sprouting. Here are some tips for selecting the perfect tuber for your growing project:
- Look for Sprouting Eyes: Select a sweet potato with at least one or two visible sprouts, which are small, green shoots emerging from the skin.
- Choose Firm and Healthy: Avoid tubers that are soft, wrinkled, or have signs of rot. A firm, healthy sweet potato is more likely to sprout successfully.
- Consider the Variety: Some sweet potato varieties are more prone to sprouting than others. Popular varieties for sprouting include Beauregard, Jewel, and Covington.
Preparing Your Sweet Potato for Planting
Once you have your sprouted sweet potato, it’s time to prepare it for planting. Here’s how:
1. Cut the Sweet Potato: Cut the sweet potato into sections, ensuring that each piece has at least one sprout.
2. Allow to Dry: Leave the cut sections in a dry, well-ventilated area for a day or two to allow the cut ends to callous over. This helps prevent rot and encourages root development.
3. Planting Time: Once the cut ends are dry, you’re ready to plant.
Planting Your Sprouted Sweet Potato
There are two main methods for planting sprouted sweet potatoes:
1. Direct Planting:
- Choose a Location: Sweet potatoes thrive in warm, sunny locations with well-drained soil. They prefer a pH of 6.0 to 6.5.
- Prepare the Soil: Loosen the soil to a depth of 8-10 inches and incorporate compost or aged manure for added nutrients.
- Planting: Place the cut sweet potato with the sprouts facing upwards, about 4-6 inches deep in the soil. Space the plants 12-18 inches apart.
- Water Well: Water thoroughly after planting.
2. Planting in a Container:
- Choose a Container: Select a container that is at least 12 inches deep and wide enough to accommodate the sweet potato vines.
- Fill with Soil: Use a potting mix that drains well.
- Plant Your Sweet Potato: Place the cut sweet potato in the container with the sprouts facing upwards. Ensure the sprouts are covered with soil.
- Water and Fertilize: Water regularly and fertilize with a balanced fertilizer every few weeks.
Caring for Your Sweet Potato Plants
Once your sweet potatoes are planted, it’s important to provide them with the proper care to ensure healthy growth and abundant yields.
- 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.
- Sunlight: Sweet potatoes require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. If you notice the leaves are wilting, they might not be getting enough sunlight.
- Weeding: Remove weeds regularly to prevent them from competing with your sweet potatoes for nutrients and water.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize your plants every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer, especially during the growing season. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of tuber development.
- Trellising: As the vines grow, you may need to provide support using stakes or trellises to prevent them from sprawling on the ground.
Harvesting Your Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are typically ready for harvest 100-120 days after planting. Here are some signs that your sweet potatoes are ready:
- Leaves start to turn yellow: This is a natural sign that the plant is nearing the end of its growing season.
- Vines start to die back: The vines will begin to wither and brown as the plant focuses its energy on the tubers.
To harvest your sweet potatoes:
1. Cut the Vines: Cut the vines back a few inches from the base of the plant.
2. Dig Carefully: Use a garden fork or shovel to gently lift the tubers from the soil. Be careful not to damage them.
3. Clean and Store: Wash the sweet potatoes and store them in a cool, dry place for up to several months.
Sweet Potato Success: Enjoying Your Harvest
Congratulations! You’ve successfully grown your own sweet potatoes. Now it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Sweet potatoes can be cooked in countless ways, from roasted and mashed to fried and baked. They are a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be incorporated into a wide variety of dishes.
Questions You May Have
1. Can I grow sweet potatoes indoors?
Yes, you can grow sweet potatoes indoors. Simply use a large container and place it in a sunny location. Make sure the container has drainage holes to prevent overwatering.
2. What should I do if my sweet potato sprouts are weak or stunted?
If your sprouts are weak or stunted, they might not be getting enough sunlight or water. Ensure the plant is receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day and water regularly, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
3. Can I replant the sweet potatoes I harvest?
Yes, you can replant sweet potatoes that you have harvested. Simply cut the tubers into sections, ensuring that each section has at least one sprout, and follow the planting instructions above.
4. What are the best sweet potato varieties for sprouting?
Some popular varieties for sprouting include Beauregard, Jewel, and Covington. These varieties are known for their good sprouting abilities and delicious flavor.
5. How long can I store sprouted sweet potatoes before planting?
Sprouted sweet potatoes can be stored for a few weeks in a cool, dry place before planting. However, they are best planted as soon as possible to ensure successful sprouting.
Growing sweet potatoes from sprouts is a rewarding and easy way to enjoy fresh, homegrown produce. With a little patience and care, you can turn a seemingly ordinary sweet potato into a bountiful harvest of delicious tubers.
