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General Information
Related to morning glories, the various cultivated forms of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) are all heat-loving perennials which are usually grown as annuals. One group is grown for ornament, including some with blackish or chartreuse foliage that are often used as color accents in decorative container plantings. But the other three types of Sweet Potato are grown as vegetables -- one type (Sweet Potato Spinach) is grown for its leaves, and the other two types are grown for their edible tubers. Of these, one type has tubers with firm, white flesh; but the most popular type in the USA (particularly in the South) has soft, sugary, orange-fleshed tubers that are often (but erroneously) called \"yams\". It is this type of Sweet Potato that is is a staple of the traditional Thanksgiving menu in the USA. Sweet Potatoes need a long, warm growing season to produce a good crop, with warm, well-drained, sandy soil being ideal. Plant in late spring, when soil temperatures have warmed to 70 degrees F., and harvest before frost. In cool-summer climates, cover rows with plastic tents or other row-cover material to increase heat and promote vigorous growth. To avoid the build-up of disease organisms in the soil, don\'t grow Sweet Potatoes in the same location 2 years in a row.
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Plant Care Instruction
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- April
- May
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- October
- November
April1. WaterWater regularly during growing season.May1. BuyBuy disease-free rooted cuttings from a reputable nursery or mail-order source to get the varieties you want. \"Centennial\" is a standard variety of \"yam\" Sweet Potato for home gardens, but there are also many others.2. PlantPlant in full sun, in well-drained, sandy or loamy soil, when soil temperatures have warmed to 70 degrees F. In cool-summer climates, provide a tent of row-cover material or plastic to increase heat around the plants. In corporate a low-nitrogen fertilizer (such as 5-10-10) into the soil when you plant.3. WaterWater regularly during growing season.June1. BuyBuy disease-free rooted cuttings from a reputable nursery or mail-order source to get the varieties you want. \"Centennial\" is a standard variety of \"yam\" Sweet Potato for home gardens, but there are also many others.2. PlantPlant in full sun, in well-drained, sandy or loamy soil, when soil temperatures have warmed to 70 degrees F. In cool-summer climates, provide a tent of row-cover material or plastic to increase heat around the plants. In corporate a low-nitrogen fertilizer (such as 5-10-10) into the soil when you plant.3. WaterWater regularly during growing season.July1. WaterWater regularly during growing season.August1. FertilizeFertilize with 5-10-10.2. WaterWater regularly during growing season.September1. WaterWater regularly during growing season.October1. WaterWater regularly during growing season.2. HarvestHarvest before frost, digging carefully to avoid cutting or bruising tubers. Flavor improves in storage, as starch is converted to sugar. Let tubers dry in the sun until soil can be brushed off, then cure by storing tubers 10 to 14 days in a warm (85 degrees F.) humid place. Then store in a cool, dry environment (not below 55 degrees F.)November1. HarvestHarvest before frost, digging carefully to avoid cutting or bruising tubers. Flavor improves in storage, as starch is converted to sugar. Let tubers dry in the sun until soil can be brushed off, then cure by storing tubers 10 to 14 days in a warm (85 degrees F.) humid place. Then store in a cool, dry environment (not below 55 degrees F.) -
Buy
When's the best time to buy this plant? When can you buy these from seed (if you can)? When is it usually available? What are things to look for when you're buying it? Or anything other tidbit of information you can share!
May
Buy disease-free rooted cuttings from a reputable nursery or mail-order source to get the varieties you want. \"Centennial\" is a standard variety of \"yam\" Sweet Potato for home gardens, but there are also many others.
June
Buy disease-free rooted cuttings from a reputable nursery or mail-order source to get the varieties you want. \"Centennial\" is a standard variety of \"yam\" Sweet Potato for home gardens, but there are also many others.
Plant
When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions?
May
Plant in full sun, in well-drained, sandy or loamy soil, when soil temperatures have warmed to 70 degrees F. In cool-summer climates, provide a tent of row-cover material or plastic to increase heat around the plants. In corporate a low-nitrogen fertilizer (such as 5-10-10) into the soil when you plant.
June
Plant in full sun, in well-drained, sandy or loamy soil, when soil temperatures have warmed to 70 degrees F. In cool-summer climates, provide a tent of row-cover material or plastic to increase heat around the plants. In corporate a low-nitrogen fertilizer (such as 5-10-10) into the soil when you plant.
Fertilize
When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year?
July
Lightly
August
Fertilize with 5-10-10.
Water
Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year?
April
Water regularly during growing season.
May
Water regularly during growing season.
June
Water regularly during growing season.
July
Water regularly during growing season.
August
Water regularly during growing season.
September
Water regularly during growing season.
October
Water regularly during growing season.
Harvest
When's a good time to harvest this plant? What's the best way to harvest? Are there special requirements or features?
October
Harvest before frost, digging carefully to avoid cutting or bruising tubers. Flavor improves in storage, as starch is converted to sugar. Let tubers dry in the sun until soil can be brushed off, then cure by storing tubers 10 to 14 days in a warm (85 degrees F.) humid place. Then store in a cool, dry environment (not below 55 degrees F.)
November
Harvest before frost, digging carefully to avoid cutting or bruising tubers. Flavor improves in storage, as starch is converted to sugar. Let tubers dry in the sun until soil can be brushed off, then cure by storing tubers 10 to 14 days in a warm (85 degrees F.) humid place. Then store in a cool, dry environment (not below 55 degrees F.)
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