The center - influence leafage on the sweet potato vine take ardent soil and a recollective uprise season to bring on genus Tuber . In warm climates , this is no problem , but in colder climates , the nurseryman must make an special effort . Still , it can be done with time of year - extending techniques and careful attention to planting schedules . Remember to allow time tocurethe tubers .
Sweet Potato Basics
sweet-scented potato are a long - season crop , with a minimum requirement of a 100 - twenty-four hours develop time of year . They are also extremely sensible to ice – after all , this is a tropical plant . They must have a minimum grease temperature of 60 ° F ( 16 ° C ) . Nighttime melody temperatures are also authoritative – for adept growth the air temperature should be above 60 ° F ( 16 ° C ) . sentence your plantings for these conditions .
Choosing Varieties
Although sweet potatoes prefer conditions like those found in USDA Zone 8 and 9 , gardener in colder areas can acquire them by choose short - season varieties . Here are some possible action :
Starting Slips
You grow sweet potatoes by starting them from sprout , orslips , pass around from a sweet potato tuber . It takes about seven to eight weeks for slip to be quick to plant . In a warm expanse , you ’ll have peck of metre , and can start them in May . In a cold area , you must get a jumping on the season by using agreenhouseor sunny windowsill and should set about them by April 1st .
Soil Preparation
odorous Irish potato do n’t need really high - fecundity filth , but they care a loose friable grain . Once you ’ve prepared the planting seam , cut through the soil with grim plastic to warm up it . In colder areas , you may want to leave the plastic on for the entire farm season and use drip irrigation . Check conditions records to see when nighttime temporary will warm up ; go for pitch-dark plastic at least two hebdomad prior to that date .
Planting Out
Consider plant your slips in toilet for two or three week after root word look on the slips . This countenance for conditions variables . Plant your slips in the garden no earlier than two weeks after the bear last frost date . In addition to the inglorious charge card , apply other technique to keep the slips affectionate . Cover the plants with garden fabric at Nox for three or four weeks after planting .
The Growing Season
If your expected get season is 120 daytime or less , using the techniques above means you should transpose your slip into the garden no later than June 1st . The longer you may give the plant warm growing conditions , the estimable your harvesting . Start check out tubers at 90 days . The longer you’re able to leave them in the ground the good , but always reap at least two weeks before the first bear freeze date .
