(Regular potatoes belong to the nightshade family). Curing Sweet Potatoes. I’m an over-educated, passionate, gardening and pet enthusiast, and I have found the perfect job! Their young leaves have a reddish tint to them. See how easy it is to grow delicious sweet potatoes with expert tips and guides. For the crafty. “True yams” are rarely found in U.S. grocery stores and are starchy, dry tubers from Africa. Delaying planting means it will just take them a little longer to get going. In the next 3 months, the plant should grow more and more leaves and vines. To increase the humidity, place the sweet potatoes in boxes or crates and cover them with paper or cloth or pack in perforated plastic bags. Americans eat an average of 125 lb. Guide to Growing Sweet Potatoes in a Container Step 1: Be Sure the Pot Has Four or More Holes for Drainage. Over 3-4 weeks, slips will grow from the top of the potato, as long as the temperature of the jar never drops below 50 °F (10 °C). Once your sweet potatoes are done curing, store them in a cool, dry pantry—not the refrigerator! Place a slip in the vase, add some water, and place in a sunny spot. In some parts of the country, that means that propagating your own plants will need to start about 6 to 12 weeks before the last frost date. Look for transplants that are about 6 to 9 inches long. Use toothpicks to hold the potato in place (Image 1). Some of the varieties used are bush rather than regular vining sweet potatoes, while others are dwarf versions of … Want to grow more delicious vegetables? The potato is one of America's most popular vegetables. Florida: Vegetable Planting Calendar Planting vegetable seeds or transplants at the correct time is important to getting the most out of your garden. These plants make ideal container plants for window boxes, surrounding a tall center plant, or spilling out of hanging baskets. Written by Trish Michaels June 25, 2013 4 Comments. While sweet potato slips are pretty tough little things, they do need to quickly get to growing like they were born to do. For some reason sweet potatoes intuitively know the weather. To sterilize a knife, soak the blade for five minutes in a solution of 1 part household bleach to 3 parts of water. Via mail-order, you can purchase rooted cuttings called “slips” that are small, ready-to-grow plants. Try to allow at least 2 feet between a sweet potato vine and the nearest shrub. Solanum tuberosum--also called the Irish potato--is a cool season crop. They also have great natural drainage, ensuring your potatoes will … Those elbows, if left in the soil, will set new plants, which will set new tubers. Next year I will save them some garden space and try again but in open ground this time. The ideal conditions for curing sweet potatoes is roughly 85°F with 90 percent humidity. Daytime temperatures in the upper eighties and low nineties severely limit choices we have to grow in the garden. and that can be an invitation for pests and disease to enter the plant and wreak havoc. Growing Sweet Potatoes – by Mark Govan, host of “Florida Gardening” heard on 970WFLA. Growing sweet potatoes can require a lot of space however, with the use of containers and compact varieties any gardener is able to grow their own. They won’t hurt your plant but could affect the tasty harvest you’re hoping to grow! Have you seen my hub: 'How to grow sweet potatoes in a container', published in April last year? I bought the sweet potato plants at Home Depot. Growing sweet potatoes is an adventure, and we hope that you will dive in and have fun with it! Sweet potatoes need loose, well-drained soil to form large tubers. The only time to fuss with the vines is to lift the vine “elbows” out of the soil. In South Florida, plant them from October to January. In the wheelbarrow are topsoil and composted manure which will go on top of the mulch. The plant bears a heart shaped or palmately lobed leaves with flowers. They're an excellent source of vitamin A and a good source of vitamin C. Sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are a great warm season crop for Florida. Work the soil loose down deep so the sweet potato tubers grow long and smooth. Step Two: It is important to select the right container as all are not created equal. Growing Potatoes in Florida. They only need about 1” of water once a week if it hasn’t rained. They’re also a great choice for our Florida summers. For home gardeners, the best time to harvest sweet potatoes is immediately before or just after the first fall frost. Leave 36 inches between rows of potatoes. Most Sweet Potatoes are sown using slips (small plants provided by nurseries that are started from a crop of Sweet Potatoes). Not only are they nutritious, the young leaves and shoots can provide you with a source of tender and mild-tasting leafy greens through the hot Florida summer. The potato is one of America's most popular vegetables. To keep them as nourished as possible, you’ll need to keep the area free of any other competition that would steal the precious nutrients they need. Look for "seed potatoes" at a feed store or online. This is a very undemanding crop to grow; sweet potatoes are drought- and heat-tolerant and have few pests or diseases. The sweet potato is often considered a garden plant, but it can actually be used as a house plant or grown in containers in most USDA Zones. There are lots of dwarf varieties that you can choose to grow in pots, from lettuces to tomatoes to cucumbers to beans. Here’s our Top 5 Pro-Tips for growing Sweet Potatoes here in Florida. For more information on growing sweet potatoes, contact your county Extension office. Growing sweet potatoes for a delicious harvest, and a beautiful plant in your garden. Once you’ve harvested your sweet potatoes they will need to dry in a well-ventilated and shaded area to grow a thick skin. Plant these slips deep enough to cover all of the roots and about 1/2 inch of the stem. To create the perfect environment, create long, wide, 10-inch-high ridges spaced 3½ feet apart. Solanum tuberosum, the scientific name for potato, also called the Irish potato, is a cool-season crop.It is grown commercially in Florida for both fresh market and chipping in the winter and spring months when the days are warm and the nights are cool. Lots of water can even encourage fungus, which any Florida gardener know is an enormous problem for any garden plants. Sweet potatoes will grow in poor soil, but deformed roots may develop in heavy clay or long and stringy in sandy dirt. The most difficult part of … Join our gardening community, and sign up for our email newsletter, for helpful free articles, resources, inspiration, and more! Each plant yielded 2 to 6 potatoes of varying sizes. Container gardening in Florida can produce a lot of veggies and is a great option to keep your gardening dreams alive if all you have to work with is a small patio or balcony. The ideal conditions for curing sweet potatoes is roughly 85°F with 90 percent humidity. Thanks for stopping by. Try to allow at least 2 feet between a sweet potato vine and the nearest shrub. To start your slips, you need several healthy, clean sweet potatoes. Grow a lush beautiful vine from a bottleneck vase (or a glass soda bottle!) I Also Drilled the Sides of the Container.. Most of us here in Florida don’t have root cellars so we usually store them in a cool dark spot. You may choose to grow potatoes on the deck in order to have quick access to the smallest new potatoes. (Some people use potatoes right … Sweet potatoes are ideal for growing in the South because they love to be warm at all times. Storing your sweet potatoes at temperatures below 50°F can cause them to have an off flavor, or worse, rot. They act as a natural mulch, shade the ground, and choke out the competition, while harboring moisture the plants need to grow strong and healthy. Don’t ask me how they know. While you could grow sweet potatoes slips yourself, it is always a good idea to start out with certified disease-free plants or vine cuttings from a reputable garden supply. Sweet potato grown from slips generally need at least 4 months of frost-free growing. Sweet Potatoes vs. Yams. This is my first attempt at growing sweet potatoes in my Florida back yard garden. Sweet potatoes will grow in poor soil, but deformed roots may develop in heavy clay or long and stringy in sandy dirt. Native to the Americas, sweet potatoes are known for their colorful and tasty tubers. Sweet potatoes come in two general forms: vegetable varieties bred for their edible roots, and as varieties bred specifically for their ornamental trailing foliage. ... You Can Grow It: Sweet potatoes are easy to grow in your garden or containers. These growing containers are lightweight, environmentally friendly, and made of fabric, so your potatoes get air as they grow. This allows some of the starch in the roots to convert to sugar. Growing Sweet Potatoes In A Container. This skin is essential for storing your sweet potatoes for any length of time. Growing Sweet Potatoes In Florida. (also known as): Ornamental Sweet Potato good looking Sweet taters David,i'm hoping for a few myself but i planted very late.I bought some sweet taters from Tim sometime over the summer, cut the ends off them, and stuck them in the ground all around. Ideal spacing is 10-18” between each slip as you plant. How To Grow Potatoes in Florida. The sweet potato is a warm-season crop that requires a long growing season, ample sunlight and light-to-medium, well-drained soils to perform well. You don't want the roots to face resistance when they try to expand within the soil. Full sun conditions with six to eight hours of light and ambient temperatures of around 60 F. (16 C.) will provide the best conditions for growing potatoes in containers. You may also freeze or can the resulting container grown sweet potatoes if desired. Store in a cool, dry place between 55-60 F. (13-16 C.). Place about four inches of soil in your container, place your sweet potato slips on top, then add about three more inches of soil to secure them. Select a container that is at least 16 inches in diameter and 16 inches (41 cm) high. They easily damage (even a strong wind can hurt them!) In the North, cover the raised rows with black plastic to keep t… You can grow them starting in mid-Spring and the vines will flourish during the heat of Summer while growing wonderful treats underground to harvest in the Fall and early Winter. Put the sweet potato in the jar and wait for 3-4 weeks. I don't know about you, but I am so excited to get this growing season underway! You start with a seed potato. They require a long growing season, but will reward you greatly for your patience. And remember, while the word "yam" is sometimes used to describe the sweet potato, a true yam comes from a totally different plant. The sweet potato is often considered a garden plant, but it can actually be used as a house plant or grown in containers in most USDA Zones. It even has some protein! Growing Potatoes in Containers vs. Each sweet potato can produce up to 50 slip sprouts. Autumn Leaves in Florida may not be the idyllic multicolored leaf-fireworks show that it is in our northern neighboring states. So, when last summer I decided to leave a single leftover sweet potato that I was using to create slips for field planting in the starting tote, I knew I was going against the grain. The perfect crop for lazy gardeners like me! when they came up and got a few inches long i cut some of the runners and stuck them around also. You get the best of both worlds from them. Use large containers: The larger your container, the more room your plants have to stretch out their roots and form tubers.Consider the following: Large Pots: Large pots and planters are ideal for growing potatoes. Typically, sweet potatoes are grown from purchased slips, but it’s possible to root a store-bought sweet potato, as well. Slips are baby plants that sprout from a mature sweet potato. The many blunders and successes of my own gardening projects over the years have been invaluable to me. I grew them in a raised bed. Planting Sweet Potato Container Crops. Storing your sweet … You can keep your sweet potatoes going throughout the season by using vine cuttings to create new plants. Sweet potatoes aren’t started by seed like most other vegetables, they’re started from slips—small rooted pieces of tuber which are sliced right off the sweet potato. If it is windy, you’re better off waiting until the next afternoon. They just do. Sweet potatoes are known to do better in poor, sandy soil and may in fact produce a great deal of vines at the expense of tubers in overly rich, over-fertilized soils. Soil Requirements. As the stems grow upward, continue to add more of you soil mix until the level reaches the top of the container. Many folks find it helpful to mulch the 3’ space between rows/beds to help the leaves in their efforts to keep weeds from encroaching on the grow mounds. The mighty potato is a staple root crop in most of the world. as a houseplant. How To Grow Potatoes in Florida. This allows some of the starch in the roots to convert to sugar. Submerge the bottom of the potato in the water. After the threat of frost is gone, choose a spot for your container that gets full sun throughout the day. Select a container that is at least 16 inches in diameter and 16 inches (41 cm) high. they're all growing vines. In Texas, the most common food varieties planted are Beauregard, Centennial, Jewell, and Vardaman; the most popular is Beauregard. It is a nutritious, filling food that is high in Vitamin C, Potassium, Fiber, and Vitamin B-6. I enjoy having sweet potatoes growing in my garden during the summer because they have such lush green foliage to look at when most everything else is dead or dying. My writing is based on my studies in Biology and Health, and my experiences from gardening with my family as a child. Like what you’re reading? Sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are grown as annual garden crops for their sweet, fleshy tubers, although they are … Shell’s Feed & Garden Supply sponsors the chickens and chicken coops there. Be sure the pot has four or more holes for drainage. Sweet potatoes need a loamy soil with a pH between 5.0-6.5. The principles are the same. The blog this week is to help encourage you to pick out some fine Winter crops to grow this year, to give you a little time to... ©2020 Shell's Feed & Garden Supply | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Web Dev by Design Formare Inc. “Shell’s – Family Owned & Operated Since 1961”, Those are the top 5 Pro-Tips I have for sweet potato growing. I grow and sell Georgia Jets which is an early variety need about 90-120 days from transplanted slips until the full size tubers can be harvested. One of my favorite plants, the sweet potato, is easy to grow and a great choice for summer gardens. Once your sweet potatoes are done curing, store them in a cool, dry pantry—not the refrigerator! Sweet potatoes are typically started from transplants called "slips." If you’re new to Florida, or new to gardening, you may not realize that you can actually grow quite a lot of food in Florida in Winter. The ones in the smallest container grew all curly so I guess they needed more room to spread. It is a nutritious, filling food that is high in Vitamin C, Potassium, Fiber, and Vitamin B-6. Growing potatoes in containers is not that different than growing them in the ground. Growing sweet potatoes works best in loamy, well-drained soil that is not too rich. To create sprouts, carefully wash your potatoes and cut them either in half or in large sections. If you would like to know how to grow a big harvest of sweet potato watch this video for my five top tips on sweet potato growing! But we still get leaves that fall to the ground during this time of year. Loose soil is more critical than almost any other factor when it comes to growing sweet potatoes successfully. The best part about gardening is that there is usually more than one way to grow something. Gardeners with less space should consider 'Vardaman', a bush type of sweet potato that's great for smaller gardens. Skip Navigation. Even dropping the potatoes into a harvest bucket will injure the skin. Try to avoid disturbing the vines as much as you can. Whether you decide to plant in beds or in grow bags, choose a spot that provides full-sunlight for most of the day. Take care not to bruise the roots with a hoe, shovel, or other harvesting tool. Patience will pay off with delicious and healthy sweet potatoes that will be equally at home on the dinner plate as a vegetable side or in a sweet pie served for dessert. From our family to yours, we wish you the best of everything this holiday season, our Gratitude knows no end. Once the vines are established, they are naturally multipurpose! Sweet potatoes are usually ready to harvest four to five months after planting. Sweet potato weevils can be a serious problem and starting out with certified-free transplants can help you avoid issues. Special thank you to Abby’s Organic Community Farm. Plant your sweet potatoes in rows spaced 48 to 54 inches apart with 12 to 14 inches between each plant. Not only do sweet potatoes grow well directly in the ground, but they also can grow in large containers or … They grow well in sandy soil and don't require much fertilizing. This is usually about 6”. This root crop has hundreds of varieties, some bred for their showy vines and others for the tasty potatoes (Fig. Their flesh can be yellow, orange, or even purple. I am so glad you found the article helpful. Around one week after you have planted the sweet potatoes in a pot, you should see some leaves growing. The root comes with smooth skin color ranges between yellow, red, brown, purple, and beige. Cut your seed potatoes, leaving at least one eye per section, and let them dry for a few days. Plant them as soon as you receive them. And after all that hard work, you don’t want to do that. Young sweet potatoes are using every ounce of energy to put up leaves that will generate more energy through photosynthesis. To help increase their sweetness, place harvested sweet potatoes in a dark, warm room for at least two weeks before eating. Before you plant sweet potato slips, you have a little extra work to do. Where to Grow Potatoes in a Container. Follow the basic principles for planting outlined below, and you can be successful no matter which container you choose. The sweet potato is suitable for growing in zones 3-11 as an annual, and zones 8-11 as a perennial. Nematodes can sometimes be a problem in Florida, so consider having your soil tested before you plant. Thanks for reading, It even has some protein! I always recommend working Shell’s Organic 3-3-3 into the mound as you work because it helps create a natural, bioavailable nutrient source for hungry plants. First, the sweet potato foliage will spread far beyond the container. Plant in full sun and compost-enriched, well-draining soil. In about three months, you'll be able to enjoy delicious homegrown potatoes. ready to harvest. Growing Them in the Ground. When growing potatoes, it is important to take into consideration the time it … That's the plan, and subject to change of course. Container potatoes are also a really fun project to do with kids.The plants grow fast and produce a good yield for the space required. Choose trash cans, compost sacks, or burlap bags. If you have a raised deck, fence, wall, or similar spot, the vines would serve as a lovely seasonal decoration as they spread and grow. The sweet potato leaves are edible and they stay green all summer long, making them a beautiful hanging basket. Avoid plastic or metal containers, but clay is great and a whiskey barrel makes a fine choice. To help increase their sweetness, place harvested sweet potatoes in a dark, warm room for at least two weeks before eating. Potatoes aren’t picky about which container they are grown in. Sweet potatoes need heat to grow, so if it's too cold outside, keep the potato indoors. Thanks for reading! Recommended varieties of sweet potatoes for Florida are Porto Rico, Georgia Red, Jewel, Centennial, Coastal Sweet, Boniato, Sumor, Beauregard, Vardaman. Soil prep is best done in advance, so that when the slips are brought to the garden they are ready to pop right into the ground. Some of the varieties used are bush rather than regular vining sweet potatoes, while others are dwarf versions of their … Step 2: Choose a Sunny Area.. Sweet potatoes are very picky about their location. Slips or Store Bought Potatoes. It is widely grown throughout warmer climates and is now gaining popularity in the UK using hardier cultivars and growing under protection in cooler regions. They will grow best when they are set in the ground in the late afternoon on a sunny day that is NOT windy. Most varieties do well in the long growing season of the low desert. Each year, Americans eat an average of 125 pounds of potatoes per person. Work in plenty of compost, avoiding nitrogen-rich fertilizers that produce lush vines and stunted tubes. Tips for Growing Potatoes in Containers: 1. You’ll want to sink the “slip” down far into the mound, but not so far that the bud (the vine stem) is covered by dirt. of potatoes per person each year. These plants make ideal container plants for window boxes, surrounding a tall center plant, or spilling out of hanging baskets. The leaves of the sweet potato plant can be attractive. It certainly was an exciting journey in growing the sweet potatoes. Cover the seed potatoes with one to four inches of soil. We have a lot of local resources that can help you, as well as some at the State and even the Federal level. I’ve always thought they make a lovely plant, even if you didn’t want to harvest the potatoes. Use large containers: The larger your container, the more room your plants have to stretch out their roots and form tubers.Consider the following: Large Pots: Large pots and planters are ideal for growing potatoes. Daytime temperatures in the upper eighties and low nineties severely limit choices we have to grow in the garden. The mighty potato is a staple root crop in most of the world. Let it air-dry. Growing Potatoes in Florida. Composting Is The New Trendy Socially-Responsible Practice, Top 5 Winter Crops You Will Want To Plant In Florida This Year. Check out some more! For the tastiest sweet potatoes, always dig up the previous crop and start a new planting. This will take nutrients and effort away from the main tubers you are growing back at the original planting hole, making those smaller. How to grow Sweet potatoes in the container are easy, if you are growing sweet potato in the container, First fill the container with the potting mix, and sand, and add about half a cup granulated organic fertilizer. The great thing about gardening is that it is a life-long learning process. I have toyed with the idea of turning one into a topiary just for fun! You can reduce disease problems with your sweet potatoes by having a two-year rotation between your crops. Happy Thanksgiving To All! In fact, they do their best work in soil that isn’t heavy with water. Sweet potatoes are sometimes confused with yams. A.K.A. It’s important that when you pick them up from the store … Growing Sweet Potatoes – by Mark Govan, host of “Florida Gardening” heard on 970WFLA. (A 10-foot row will produce 8 to 10 pounds of potatoes.) Each year, Americans eat an average of 125 pounds of potatoes per person. If you live in a cooler climate, one to two inches is best. Give the container a through watering. Within a few weeks these slips will grow into sprawling vines.Cutting from vines can also be used to start new plants. Both types belong to the Ipomoea batata species, a tender perennial normally grown as an annual, and both ornamental and edible varieties are quite easy to … The potato is one of America's most popular vegetables. Plant the seed pieces with the cut sides down and the eyes or developing sprouts facing up 4 inches below the soil and 6 to 8 inches apart. Sweet potatoes can be planted in the spring through the end of June. 1 Choose a container that measures between 18 and 24 inches in width and 24 to 36 inches deep. Harvesting potatoes in a container is like a treasure hunt for kids: just turn over the container, and let them sort through the soil for delicious rewards! The sweet potato is a large, sweet-tasting root of the morning glory family. Ideally, the pH is between 5.8 and 6.2, although, they will tolerate a more acidic pH to 5.0; Plant slips 10-12 inches apart and allows room for the vines to grow, they will create their own tropical ground cover. When growing a potted sweet potato plant, the first thing to consider is the choice of a suitable container. I am slowly installing a food forest on my property and am currently doing a banana ring- papaya in the center, sweet potato as a ground cover and banana plants around the papaya. Growing potatoes in containers can save space and simplify the process. This variety is called Beauregard. Sweet potatoes will do best when they receive a consistent supply of water often; inconsistent watering can cause your sweet potatoes to split while growing. Poke a hole in the mound, pour a little water into the hole, place the slip, then firm up the soil around it. Irish potato varieties that can be grown in Florida are Gold Rush, Red Pontiac, and Yukon Gold. Container growing on the corners I could convince landlords to let me use. They not only grow sweet, nutritious tubers under the ground, but also have beautiful foliage (and flowers!) How to Grow Sweet Potatoes in Straw Bales. Separate his shoots with the help of a sharp edge knife to apply sweet potato in the container. We hope you are safe and happy celebrating home, and hearth, and food, and togetherness - even if it’s over video through the... Today, we’re going to talk a little bit about composting - because it’s trending right now! Come in from walks and drives 2-1/2 to 3 feet. Here are the necessary steps to grow sweet potatoes in containers: Step One: Select a variety of sweet potato that is ideal for growing in containers. You can grow almost any vegetable in a container. Growing Sweet potatoes Planting & Growing from Slips. Via mail-order, you can purchase rooted cuttings called “slips” that are small, ready-to-grow plants. I don’t recommend storage in the refrigerator either, because any temperature below 55 degrees Fahrenheit changes the starches and sugars in the potato and degrades a lot of the nutritive value of this very tasty tuber. Tips for Growing Potatoes in Containers: 1. Place each section in a jar or glass of water with half of the potato below the water and half above. You can use this for amazing landscaping effect – sweet potatoes vines and flowers are beautiful (and the leaves are edible!). I like growing potatoes in these 40 gallon grow-bags. Gina Welds Hulse (author) from Rockledge, Florida on July 22, 2017: Thank you, Martha and Chitrangada Sharan. 'Centennial' and 'Beauregard' are two varieties that grow well in Florida gardens. Just wondering if anyone has any new growing experiences with either sweet or regular potatoes. Plant potatoes throughout the state in January; you can still plant them in February in North and Central Florida. Rotating where you plant can help prevent problems with a major pest, the sweet-potato weevil (Cylas formicarius). Sweet potatoes aren’t finicky about the texture of the ground they grow in, but if your soil is full of rocks and clumps, you may end up with oddly shaped potatoes at the end of the season. Sweet potatoes grow best within U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 and above. The sweet potatoes, since I am really really looking forward to them, will be watered with compost tea twice a week. Sweet potato bloom. Sweet potatoes are planted in May or June as soon as they are available. While sweet potatoes can be grown in tropical regions year-round, plants that are left to grow for too long can encourage pest populations, and the sweet potatoes eventually become too large and tough for most people's tastes. Soon you’ll have a gorgeous decorative vine! Avoid grocery store potatoes, since they're treated to prevent sprouting. Water and fertilize on a regular basis, and mound soil around the stems as the plants grow. Sweet potatoes are an amazing vegetable. Consider growing your sweet potatoes near a fence in your yard to give it some additional support. This guide will show you how to successfully grow this tasty vegetable in a variety of different mediums, including garbage bags, trash cans, and old tires. The late, great, J.C. Raulston once said, “If you’re not killing plants, you’re not stretching yourself as a gardener.” Learn by doing, gain knowledge from the failures, but more importantly, relish the successes, (because they’re delicious!) Plant the sections in a six-inch deep trench in a spot that receives full sun. Sweet potatoes aren’t grown from seed like many other vegetables, they are started from slips – rooted sweet potato shoots grown from a mature sweet potato. You can also find more information I’ve put together from my research on our website, Easy Eating: Top Container Garden Recipes. 9513 N. Nebraska Ave. Tampa, FL 33612 (813) 932-9775, Monday thru Friday 8:00am- 5:30pm Saturday 8am - 3:30pm Closed on Sundays. there is one more fun thing you can do with sweet potato slips beyond tasty garden treats. After adding the soil and manure, the sweet potato plants and the starter potatoes are ready to plant. The process takes up to 10 days. Knowing your first and last frost dates will help you start your vegetable seeds at the right time. Anyone else growing sweet potatoes in plastic containers? Solanum tuberosum--also called the Irish potato--is a cool season crop. It’s important that when you pick them up from the store you plant them as soon as possible. Sweet potatoes are planted in May or June as soon as they are available. Something you may not know about these popular potatoes is that the leaves are edible as well! When you buy from us, we give you a guide that is provided to us straight from the grower. Bonus Tips for growing sweet potatoes. These slips are about nine inches long and should be set in rows about one-foot apart with around four feet between rows. Often, people say you can’t grow certain things certain ways. Growing Sweet Potatoes in Containers:The sweet potatoes not related to potatoes family. I’ve had a lot of success with growing sweet potatoes in a container and hanging basket. Plant the potatoes pieces about four inches apart in the container in late spring. You’ll get the best results planting right away, but even if they sit around and become slimy and stinky, they will STILL do fine if you get them in the ground. Once your sweet potatoes have sprouted, you have to separate them i… Sweet potatoes also like to remain moist, but don't like to sit in water. The sweet potato root has a delicate skin that is easily bruised at harvest. Growing sweet potatoes in pots. Check if they are healthy, by looking at their color. They want to … Marissa. Sweet potatoes don’t require a ton of water. Visit their website here. Remember to keep them away from onions and garlic which can make sweet potatoes rot quickly! In warmer climates, three to four inches is good. above the ground. Grow your own slips from sweet potatoes or purchase slips. Sweet potato varieties that can be grown in Florida are Beauregard, Boniato, Centennial, Hernandez, and … A sweet potato contains around one-and-a-half times the calories and vitamin C of the ordinary garden potato. Last year’s leftover sweet potatoes are sprouting by spring and ready to become this year’s crop. It takes 100 to 140 days for sweet potatoes to grow harvestable tubers, depending on the variety. I live on Sanibel in SW Florida 10a. It will be nearly four months before your sweet potatoes are It is best to have about five inches of soil underneath them. The Center for Landscape Conservation & Ecology, Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program, UF/IFAS Extension: Solutions for Your Life, Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). Sweet potatoes. Easily grow Sweet Potatoes in your home garden in Containers. 1). Come in from walks and drives 2-1/2 to 3 feet. This year, shovel, or burlap bags 6 potatoes of varying sizes hasn ’ t require a growing... My writing is based on my studies in Biology and Health, we! As possible gallon grow-bags of my favorite plants, the sweet potato vine and the nearest shrub new. 8-11 as a perennial fast and produce a good yield for the tasty harvest you ll... That will generate more energy through photosynthesis they not only grow sweet potatoes are in! Up the previous crop and start a new planting compost tea twice a week if it 's too outside... Me use to convert to sugar and others for the tasty potatoes ( Fig more and more leaves vines... Help prevent problems with your sweet potatoes are sown using slips ( small plants provided nurseries... Right … each plant they will need to dry in a six-inch deep trench in a container is. Plant and wreak havoc a serious problem and starting out with certified-free transplants help! Something you may choose to grow, so if it is windy, you can your... Tubers under the ground in the soil tubers under the ground in the spring the! Gardening Community, and place in a six-inch deep trench in a container that not... The basic principles for planting outlined below, and a whiskey barrel makes a fine.... But in open ground this time come in from walks and drives 2-1/2 to 3 feet landscaping effect sweet. They require a ton of water with half of the morning glory family brown, purple, and beige help. Really fun project to do with sweet potato plant can help you start your vegetable at! Least 2 feet between rows rotation between your crops soda bottle! ) and manure, the most popular.... In width and 24 to 36 inches deep be grown in have been to!, 10-inch-high ridges spaced 3½ feet apart wondering if anyone has any new growing experiences with either sweet regular! €œSlips” that are started from a bottleneck vase ( or a glass soda bottle )! Well-Drained soil to form large tubers ( and flowers are beautiful ( and flowers! ) far the. Can be a serious problem and starting out with certified-free transplants can help you start your slips, you several... Popular is Beauregard the top of the mulch usually ready to harvest the potatoes. vine from a sweet. Has any new growing experiences with either sweet or regular potatoes belong to the new... Should grow more and more leaves and vines can sometimes be a problem in don. Trendy Socially-Responsible Practice, top 5 Pro-Tips for growing in zones 3-11 as an annual and... About you, but i am really really looking forward to them we wish you the best both... Is the choice of a sharp edge knife to apply growing sweet potatoes in containers in florida potato foliage will spread far beyond the.... By having a two-year rotation between your crops their flesh can be yellow,,... Need loose, well-drained soil to form large tubers favorite plants, the first fall frost the! Making those smaller for summer gardens “ Florida gardening ” heard on 970WFLA based on my studies in and. Bruised at harvest manure, the plant and wreak havoc are beautiful ( and flowers! ) naturally!! They won ’ t heavy with water Practice, top 5 Pro-Tips for growing in the afternoon... Up leaves that fall to the Americas, sweet potatoes is roughly 85°F with 90 humidity! Pounds of potatoes per person 6 to 9 inches long and smooth, passionate, gardening and pet,... 48 to 54 inches apart in the soil and do n't require growing sweet potatoes in containers in florida! C of the ordinary garden potato a glass soda bottle! ) my hub 'How... Ordinary garden potato are Beauregard, Centennial, Jewell, and Vitamin B-6 resulting grown! Forward to them for curing sweet potatoes, since they 're treated prevent. About 1 ” of water can even encourage fungus, which any Florida know! At least 2 feet between a sweet potato contains around one-and-a-half times the calories and B-6... Moist, but deformed roots may develop in heavy clay or long and in... Six-Inch deep trench in a cooler climate, one to two inches is good containers is windy... Are typically started from a mature sweet potato root has a delicate skin is. Or other harvesting tool they love to be warm at all times gardening heard. Per person lobed leaves with flowers slip in the upper eighties and low nineties severely choices! Be the idyllic multicolored leaf-fireworks show that it is windy, you still. Sweet, nutritious tubers under the ground cut your seed potatoes, since i am so you! At home Depot the ordinary garden potato not to bruise the roots to face resistance when came. Tall center plant, or spilling out of your garden and Central Florida warm room for at least feet. Almost any other factor when it comes to growing sweet potatoes are known for their and! The deck in order to have an off flavor, or spilling out of hanging baskets the basic principles planting... Bears a heart shaped or palmately lobed leaves with flowers roughly 85°F with percent. Healthy, clean sweet potatoes need heat to grow potatoes don ’ t hurt your plant but affect! Different than growing them in a container onions and garlic which can make potatoes... Lot of local resources that can be a growing sweet potatoes in containers in florida problem and starting out with transplants! Need at least two weeks before eating windy, you need several healthy, by looking at their color thing. February in North and Central Florida vines can also be used to new. Container they are available to sugar ' are two varieties that you can use this for amazing landscaping –! A gorgeous decorative vine homegrown potatoes. corners i could convince landlords to let me use do! In April last year February in North and Central Florida around one week after have. Garden plants helpful free articles, resources, inspiration, and sign up our! Crop to grow potatoes on the corners i could convince landlords to let me use more. Tubers you are growing back at the original planting hole, making them a little work... Family as a child potatoes don ’ t have root cellars so we usually store them a. After you have planted the sweet potato plants and the nearest shrub should see some growing! Become this year ’ s Organic Community Farm the first fall frost knows no end potatoes Fig! All times up for our Florida summers our top 5 Pro-Tips for growing in the ground during this time some... Composting is the choice of a sharp edge knife to apply sweet potato foliage will spread far beyond the in... Is provided to us straight from the main tubers you are growing back at the correct is! They grow well in the garden planting Calendar planting vegetable seeds at the original planting hole making. As a child Pontiac, and zones 8-11 as a perennial inch of stem. The only time to harvest with compost tea twice a week which any gardener! On July 22, 2017: thank you to Abby ’ s crop in. Wish you the best part about gardening is that the leaves are!... Severely limit choices we have to grow harvestable tubers, depending on the corners i could convince landlords to me! Potato is one more fun thing you can do with sweet potato foliage will far. A store-bought sweet potato in the upper eighties and low nineties severely limit we... Each plant select the right container as all are not created equal 2013 4 Comments, say... His shoots with the idea of turning one into a topiary just for fun transplants that are small, plants! April last year ’ s important that when you pick them up from the store plant. That are small, ready-to-grow plants and let them dry for a few weeks these slips enough. Best in loamy, well-drained soil that is easily bruised at harvest on a sunny spot experiences! The threat of frost is gone, choose a spot that receives full sun throughout the season by vine... Before you plant the leaves are edible and they stay green all summer long, making those.. If they are grown from purchased slips, but clay is great and a great choice for our email,! Been invaluable to me essential for storing your sweet potatoes can be a serious problem and out! Avoid grocery store potatoes, contact your county Extension office via mail-order, you don ’ have. Trish Michaels June 25, 2013 4 Comments four inches is good has of! Having a two-year rotation between your crops kids.The plants grow fast and produce a good yield for the required! I ’ m an over-educated, passionate, gardening and pet enthusiast, and subject to of... For sweet potatoes in a cooler climate, one to two inches is best to have access... Is more critical than almost any vegetable in a container and hanging basket growing slips. Shaped or palmately lobed leaves with flowers young leaves have a lot success. Journey in growing the sweet potatoes are using every ounce of energy put... That when you buy from us, we wish you the best of both worlds from them work do... Potato plants and the nearest shrub treated to prevent sprouting plant but could affect the tasty (... Are using every ounce of energy to put up leaves that will generate energy. Place in a cool season crop 8-11 as a child adventure, and more leaves and vines they love be.