Planting sweet potatoes is a great way to enjoy this tasty, versatile and nutritious root vegetable. Sweet potatoes, also known as sweet potatoes, are packed with vitamins and minerals. and offer unique flavors and textures.
They are very easy to grow and produce a bountiful harvest. There are several varieties of sweet potatoes that vary in the color and texture of their flesh. The most common varieties are yellow or orange, there are also those with white flesh, but they are not as tasty.
Knowing when and how to plant sweet potatoes will help you grow a bountiful harvest.
When is the best time to plant sweet potatoes?
The best time to plant sweet potatoes is in early spring, after the last frost in your area has passed. It is important to wait until the soil temperature reaches 18-21 degrees Celsius before planting sweet potatoes. This is when the air and soil are warm. Remember that sweet potatoes are tropical plants that are very sensitive to cold.
Planting sweet potatoes too early can result in underdeveloped crops. Planting too late This means that there is not enough time for growth before the first frosts in autumn.
Preparing the soil for sweet potatoes
The soil should be slightly acidic. and have a good drainage system. Sweet potatoes do not like to be wet. Before planting sweet potatoes, you should work the soil so that it is well drained and fertile.
They grow better in clay soils and the ideal pH must be between 5,8 and 6,2, although they tolerate a more acidic pH, up to 5,0.
Before planting them you must moisten the soil that has to be designed for these crops. Good root development depends on the amount of aeration space available in the soil.
They should be planted at a distance of 30-40 cm each to allow enough room for growth. If you plant them in a pot, they have a tendency to become rootbound. To solve this problem, you should cut each plant just above the soil line in the pot and then plant it without roots directly into the garden bed.
The cutting will form new roots in 2 or 3 days, and will grow into very well-formed and healthy sweet potatoes. You can add organic matter to improve the soil and ensure a good harvest.
El best fertilizer For sweet potatoes, it is a mixture of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. If you fertilize with additional nitrogen, it will stimulate the growth of the stem and leaves, rather than the development of the sweet potato itself.
How to plant sweet potato?
Unlike other root vegetables, sweet potatoes are not grown from seed. nor from seed potatoes. Sweet potatoes are grown from "scions" or seedlings, which are grown from cuttings of mature sweet potato plants.
Cuttings can be purchased at nurseries or garden centers, or you can Growing your own cuttings from sweet potatoes you have previously grown.
Planting sweet potato steps to follow
- To plant sweet potatoes, dig a trench about 10-15 cm deep.
- Place the cuttings (pieces of stem from the adult plant approximately 20 cm long with 4 protuberances) in the trench about 30 cm apart from each other and cover them with loose soil.
- The cuttings should be in the soil up to half their length and firm down on the soil.
- You can also space rows and branches about 60-90 cm apart. Keep the soil moist, but not wet, and apply a light layer of mulch to help keep weeds at bay.
- You must water them well until the roots begin to grow. in about a week.
How to care for sweet potatoes as they grow?
As the sweet potatoes grow, It is important to keep the soil moist and free of weeds. You may also need to apply a light dose of fertilizer to help the sweet potatoes develop. It's also a good idea to mound soil around the base of the plants to help support them as they grow.
Remember that it is important to control weeds, and you should water them as needed, gradually reduce the amount of watering towards the end to prevent the sweet potatoes from splitting.
When is the best time to harvest sweet potatoes?
Sweet potatoes are ready to harvest when the vines begin to turn yellow and wilt. This usually occurs in late fall, about 100-150 days after sowing.
The most tasty and nutritious ones should be harvested about 10-20 days after the vines have turned yellow. The bigger they grow, the sweeter the sweet potatoes become.
If you are not sure if they are ready, you can gently dig into the furrow with your hand and feel if they are ready, If it is not time yet, cover them and keep waiting. It is important to wait a little before frost to harvest sweet potatoes.
How to store sweet potatoes?
Sweet potatoes should be carefully removed and stored in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area between 13 and 15°C. Make sure the storage area is free from moisture and insects. Sweet potatoes can be stored for several months.
To prevent sweet potatoes from spoiling when stored, you have to keep them at a temperature of between 27 and 29°C and a humidity of between 85 and 90% approximately for 10 days.
To achieve optimal conditions, fans can be installed to move the air evenly. This ensures good oxygen levels, which are required for storage and curing facilities.
Some facts about sweet potatoes
It is an edible tropical plant that has beneficial nutrients. They are very rich in carbohydrates for athletes. It is an excellent source of vitamin A, contains fiber, potassium, antioxidants, and is very easily digestible.
It does not produce flatulence or gastrointestinal problems. They are very versatile and can be used in the kitchen in several ways, It is already baked and is an excellent option to maintain all the benefits. Boiled, mashed, smoothies, pie filling, etc.
Finally, planting and growing sweet potatoes is a great way to enjoy this tasty, nutritious and unique root vegetable. Knowing when and how to plant sweet potatoes will help you grow a harvest. abundant. Be patient and take all the necessary precautions and you will surely enjoy a great harvest with all the benefits it provides for your body.