Growing Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes love long, hot summers—which makes them a natural fit for Alabama.
They need patience, room to vine, and warm soil.
When to Plant
For Central Alabama, sweet potato slips are commonly planted from about mid-April through mid-June.
Do not rush them into cold soil.
Slips, Not Seed Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are usually planted from slips—rooted shoots produced from a mature sweet potato.
They are not planted the same way as Irish potatoes.
Sun and Soil
Sweet potatoes need:
- Full sun
- Warm soil
- Good drainage
- Loose soil for easy root expansion
Dense compacted soil can lead to misshapen roots.
Spacing
Give vines room to spread.
Sweet potatoes can cover a surprisingly large area by midsummer.
Watering
Keep slips consistently moist until established.
After that, water deeply during dry periods but avoid waterlogged soil.
Reduce heavy watering as harvest approaches.
Fertility
Too much nitrogen encourages vine growth at the expense of storage roots.
Use soil-test guidance.
Weed Control
Weed early while vines are small.
Once vines cover the ground, they help shade out many weeds.
Common Problems
Watch for:
- Flea beetles
- Wireworms
- Soil insects
- Voles and rodents
- Root rots in wet soil
Crop rotation helps reduce soil-borne problems.
Harvest
Harvest before cold weather damages the roots.
Dig carefully because sweet potatoes bruise easily.
Cure Before Storage
Freshly dug sweet potatoes benefit from curing in warm, humid conditions for a short period.
Curing helps heal minor wounds and improves storage quality and sweetness.
After curing, store in a cool but not cold location.
GardenGrowz Tip
Do not refrigerate raw sweet potatoes for long-term storage. They prefer warmer storage conditions than Irish potatoes.
