Sweet Potato

How to grow sweet potato.

Sweet potato plants are very easy to grow. Once planted, it can take over your garden space if you let it. I love the sweet potato tops and the tubers. I usually start my plant by placing a tuber in water 3/4 of the way, placing the pointy end upward.  In a month's time, depending on the type of sweet potato, temperature, etc., you will see what is known as the "slips". Slips can be snipped or pulled off for planting once they are about 4-5 inches long. Slips will continue to grow from the eye of the tuber. You can also snip the slips and place it in separate jar of water. I do this specially when the temperature outside is not ready for it to be planted.

My harvest in 2011 (5 plants)

Once established, trim plants to 18 inches long to send growth to the root crop. I did not get much crop last year since I let my plants grow to harvest young sweet potato tops for stir fry.