Sweet Potato
Planting Slips
1. **Preparing the Soil**: Choose well-draining, sandy soil in a location that gets full sun.
2. **Planting**: Once the slips have developed a healthy root system, they are ready to be planted in the garden or in large containers. Plant the slips deep enough to cover the roots and a portion of the stem, spacing them about 12-18 inches apart.
Care and Maintenance
1. **Watering**: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Sweet potatoes need regular watering, especially during dry periods.
2. **Weeding**: Keep the area around the plants weed-free to reduce competition for nutrients and water.
3. **Fertilizing**: Use a balanced fertilizer if necessary, but avoid high nitrogen fertilizers, which can promote foliage growth at the expense of tuber development.
Harvesting
- Sweet potatoes are typically ready to harvest 90-120 days after planting. The foliage will begin to yellow and die back when the tubers are ready.
- Carefully dig up the sweet potatoes to avoid damaging them. Cure them by placing them in a warm, humid environment for about 10 days to enhance their sweetness and improve storage life.
