SWEET POTATO (Ipomoea Batatas)
SWEET POTATO The sweet potato is very nutritious and is an important food in many tropical regions of the world. It is rich in vitamin C and contains more vitamin A than most other vegetables.Sweet potatoes can be easily grown at homeAn acre of sweet potatoes requires 10,000 to 12,000 plants but 100 to 200 plants will produce an ample supply for the average family. Plants can be purchased from a nursery, or grown at home by sprouting four or five sweet potatoes in a shallow pan of water.The Planting and Culture of Sweet PotatoesSweet potatoes can be grown as a garden plant over a wide area of the United States. They prefer a sandy soil, but can be grown in a heavier soil if it is worked five or six inches deep. Ridging is also necessary if optimum size and quality are to be produced.Preparing the groundStart soil preparation for sweet potatoes during April. Make a furrow long enough to accommodate the plants you need with 12-to 18-inch spacing. Place an inch or two of well-rotted compost or manure in the furrow. Then ridge up the soil on top of this band of humus. Ridges should be at least ten inches high to prevent roots from growing too deep for easy harvesting.Setting out the plantsDon't set out the plants until about a month after the average date of the last frost in your area. Sweet potatoes are members of the Morning-glory family and are very sensitive to frost. Use a rounded stick, like a broom handle, to push the roots of the plants four or five inches deep. Water plants after transplanting seedlings to settle the roots.Proper growing conditionsThe area around the plants should be kept free of weed growth until the vines themselves shade out weeds. Don't worry too much about drought, because sweet potatoes like hot, dry weather. Companion planting is an effective means of weed and insect control.Plant your Sweet Potatoes in the right moon phase for the best resultsSweet Potatoes should be planted when the moon is in the 3rd Quarter (i.e. waning) and in one of the following Zodiac Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces, LibraSee: Below ground crops - The effect of the moon on sweet potatoes. Harvesting Sweet PotatoesDig the potatoes with a pitchfork before frost hits the vines, for frost on the vines can damage the tubers below. To prevent spoilage, be careful not to damage the potatoes during digging. Let them cure on the surface of the ground for several hours after digging. This helps them keep better in storage.Sweet Potato StorageIf properly cured, sweet potatoes can be stored and enjoyed for several months. This can be done easily by placing the harvested roots in a well-ventilated place where temperatures are fairly high. For best results the temperature should be around 85 to 90°F. (29.44 to 32.22°C.) and should be herd in that range for ten to 15 days. |
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| High temperatures are a deterrent to rhizopus rot, a disease which affects potato roots. Following the curing period, the sweet potatoes should be stored at a temperature of about 50°F. (10°C.) with humidity between 75 and 80 percent. During the storage period the sweet potatoes should not be handled or moved until time for use. Storage temperature below 50°F. usually will favor decay. See: Harvesting and Preservation - Harvest and preserve your sweet potatoes. Varieties of Sweet PotatoesCentennial Sweet Potato is a bright copper-skinned variety and a high yielder. Porto Rico, Allgold and Georgia Reds are gaining popularity with sweet potatogrowers. Recommended dry-flesh types are Orlis and Yellow Jersey. |
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| | Moon Phase Gardening | | | Zodiac Sign Gardening | | | Vegetable Planting Guide | | | Organic Gardening Guide | | | |
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