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greenthumbalina

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Ipomoea batatas
Sweet Potato, Sweet Potato Vine, Yam

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.

Click HERE to view plant care instruction.

Solanum tuberosum
Potato, White Potato, Irish Potato, Garden Potato, Edible Potato,

There are many different varieties of potatoes available for growing by the home gardener, and you will be amazed at how good potatoes you grow yourself taste compared to the store-bought product. In Southern California\'s mild coastal climates, potatoes may be planted from January through May for spring to fall harvest, and you can even try planting in early fall for a winter harvest. The main thing to remember is that potatoes like loose soil, don\'t like excessive heat, and need even moisture (but never soggy soil) throughout the growing season. Whether you grow potatoes in the ground, in half-barrels, or even in stacks of tires, they produce best if you mound loose soil around the plant stems as they grow. For healthy plants and a good harvest, it is important to plant only certified \"seed\" potatoes that you buy from nurseries or specialty growers (rather than store-bought potatoes, which often produce poor crops).

Click HERE to view plant care instruction.

Hippeastrum spp.
Amaryllis, Amaryllis, Dutch Amaryllis,south African Amaryllis

Tropical plant with large trumpet-shaped, colorful blooms atop 12- to 15-inch stems. Comes in a variety of colors, including red, pink, salmon, coral, white and even striped. Can be grown outdoors, and is also commonly forced indoors for winter bloom. Does best in containers.

Click HERE to view plant care instruction.

My Climate Zone
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
Zone 6b
Sunset Climate Zone
Zone 6
City
Dresden
State
Ontario
Zip Code
N0P1M0
Country
Canada

Gardening Background
Biographical Information
Watched, listened and learned from my Dad, his dad and my uncle Colonel. READ, READ AND more reading and of course trial and lots of errors.

My Mulch Profile
Occupation
Retired
Gardening Ability
3 - Garden a lot, with some success
My 5 favorite plants are
Echinacea, Succulents, Echevarrias, Heirloom Veggies and all houseplants (I can't pick just one)
What is a garden myth you hear frequently which you know is untrue?
Epsom salts are the cure-all for vegetable ailments, I.e. blossom end rot and sweeter and bigger tomatoes.
And, what is the reality?
Myth: Epsom salts are magnesium sulphate (magnesium, sulphur oxygen and water).....realty only good if your soil is lacking in either which is highly unlikely.
What is your favorite gardening outfit or costume?
Denim shorts, tee shirt, sketchers, and my favorite crappy Sunhat, oh and my favorite gloves.
What is the one question about gardening you would really like people to ask you?
Where does you energy come from being in your gardens everyday day?
And what's the answer?
My energy comes from the plants themselves
Do you have a gardening philosophy you would like to share with other gardeners? What is it?
Watch your plants closely and they will tell you what they need.
If you could grow only one plant, what would it be?
I couldn't pick just one.
What plant have you tried to grow that has given you the most trouble? Or, what plant would you like to grow and can't, and why?
Orchids, much too fussy.
What is your favorite time in the garden?
Morning's and just after dinner till the sunsets.
What is your favorite color in the garden?
Flower gardens would have to be lime greens, purples and yellows
What is your favorite place or activity in the garden?
Vegetable gardening, planning, planting, pruning and picking
Flower gardening, planning, planting, weeding and moving them around, thinning and giving cuttings away
What is your favorite public or private garden in the world? Why?
My Dad's because he was a great teacher.
What individual has influenced your gardening interest the most? How?
My Dad, patient, prudent and taught me when I was very young
Gardening Dilemmas
Too much rain, weeds and diamond back moths (brasscia lovers)
What do you dislike most about gardening?
Spiders
What do you like most about gardening?
Getting my hands dirty
Cat or Dog person
Both Cat and Dog
What is your Garden Test Score?
I Haven't Taken the Test Yet

Education
About me
Wife, mother, grandmom and lover of all things beautiful. Now that I am retired from the working world I can explore all of the things that I didn't get to. Better late than never. Looking to broaden my knowledge in gardening flowers, veggies, herbs, canning and all things connected.
Interests
Gardening, reading, yoga, antiqueing, thrifting, decorating, hanging with my husband

Plant Care Provider Profile
I would like to promote my gardening expertise
Yes
Receive Plant Care Reminder Email
Yes

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greenthumbalina

Ipomoea batatasSweet Potato, Sweet Potato Vine, Yam

Solanum tuberosumPotato, White Potato, Irish Potato, Garden Potato, Edible Potato,

Hippeastrum spp.Amaryllis, Amaryllis, Dutch Amaryllis,south African Amaryllis

My Climate Zone

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

Sunset Climate Zone

City

State

Zip Code

Country

Gardening Background

Biographical Information

My Mulch Profile

Occupation

Gardening Ability

My 5 favorite plants are

What is a garden myth you hear frequently which you know is untrue?

And, what is the reality?

What is your favorite gardening outfit or costume?

What is the one question about gardening you would really like people to ask you?

And what's the answer?

Do you have a gardening philosophy you would like to share with other gardeners? What is it?

If you could grow only one plant, what would it be?

What plant have you tried to grow that has given you the most trouble? Or, what plant would you like to grow and can't, and why?

What is your favorite time in the garden?

What is your favorite color in the garden?

What is your favorite place or activity in the garden?

What is your favorite public or private garden in the world? Why?

What individual has influenced your gardening interest the most? How?

Gardening Dilemmas

What do you dislike most about gardening?

What do you like most about gardening?

Cat or Dog person

What is your Garden Test Score?

Education

About me

Interests

Plant Care Provider Profile

I would like to promote my gardening expertise

Receive Plant Care Reminder Email

Join Our Community

Join Our Community

Ipomoea batatas
Sweet Potato, Sweet Potato Vine, Yam

Solanum tuberosum
Potato, White Potato, Irish Potato, Garden Potato, Edible Potato,

Hippeastrum spp.
Amaryllis, Amaryllis, Dutch Amaryllis,south African Amaryllis