Sweet Taters, Anyone?

Ok so most of you know it's actually sweet potatoes. But did you know that the sweet potato is actually not related to a potato at all? Potatoes are in the nightshade family. That's the same family as tomatoes and peppers. Sweet potatoes are in the Convolvulaceae family. That's the same family as four o'clocks and morning glories. Now you may find yourself asking, "What does this mean?" What it means is that while there are some similarities between growing say, Yukon Gold potatoes and sweet potatoes, there are some noteworthy differences. Potatoes are a cool season crop, while sweet potatoes are actually grown in warmer seasons as they are actually a TROPICAL plant. Yes, you read that right. They are heat loving plants from South America.

How to Choose the Perfect Sweet Potato

You want to select a cultivar that grows well in your area. I look for cultivars that are known to grow well in my area and resistant to splitting. Your county extension service is a good place to start. You can also find experienced growers in your area. My personal favorite is Beauregard, but I know of a farm north of me that grows purple sweet potatoes.

You can grow sweet potatoes purchased from the produce department in the grocery store, with a couple of caveats. One, it might have been treated with chemicals to keep it from sprouting, and I'd be wary of that. Two, it might have been imported, so that cultivar might not grow in your area.

Can you grow them from whole potatoes or from slips? Yes...and yes. It's really a matter of preference. I have grown them from slips and from whole tubers. And yes I have saved some for seed potatoes. I take a jar of water, four toothpicks and a potato. Stick the four toothpicks around the potato and insert the pointy end in the jar and wait. I'd change the water every week to ensure that it doesn't get moldy. Watch for root development...it will take some time but be patient. Now if you're buying your slips or starts from a seller, these are usually available for sale in the spring. They can go directly in the ground. Just be sure that the roots are spread out and the pointy end is down. I usually plant mine a couple of inches deep when the vines are starting to form. When I do, I give them a little compost, cover them up (be sure to leave at least 2 inches above ground), and mulch. Water them as needed. If I do it this way I don't have as much weeding and fertilizing to do, but do some deep watering as needed during the summer months. When the tips start turning yellow, it's time to harvest. I prefer to use my pitchfork for this as it does less damage than a shovel would.

Once you harvest them, you'll need to let them cure...that means don't wash them. Spread them out so that they can get some air. Once the foliage withers you can remove that and compost it. In four to six weeks you'll be able to cook them. That being said, they're great pollinators too, if you don't like to eat them, but as for me and my family, I use a recipe that was handed down by a family that owned a restaurant for years...and that's where a lot of my sweet potatoes end up. I wish you a Happy Holiday Season, and happy gardening!