Growing Sweet Potatoes in Containers

Choosing the Right Container

Size and Material

• Size: Sweet potatoes need plenty of room to develop their tubers. A container with a minimum depth of 12 inches and a width of 18 inches is recommended. Larger containers are even better as they allow for more root development.
• Material: Containers can be made of various materials, including plastic, ceramic, fabric, or wood. Fabric pots (grow bags) are particularly beneficial as they provide good aeration and drainage.

Selecting the Right Sweet Potato Variety

Types of Sweet Potatoes

• Bush Varieties: These are more compact and better suited for container growing. Varieties like ‘Vardaman’ and ‘Beauregard’ are popular choices.
• Vining Varieties: While these can also be grown in containers, they require more space and support for the vines.

Preparing the Container

Soil Mix

• Soil: Use a well-draining, loose potting mix. A mix designed for vegetables or a combination of compost, peat moss, and sand is ideal.
• Fertilizer: Incorporate a slow-release, balanced fertilizer into the soil mix before planting. Sweet potatoes benefit from a balanced NPK ratio, such as 10-10-10.

Drainage

• Ensure the container has adequate drainage holes to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.

Planting Sweet Potatoes

Starting Slips

• Slips: Sweet potatoes are grown from slips, which are shoots that sprout from a mature sweet potato. You can purchase slips or grow your own by placing a sweet potato in water or moist sand until it sprouts.
• Planting Slips: Once the slips are about 6 inches long, they are ready to be planted. Plant each slip about 4 inches deep and 12 inches apart. If using a large container, you can plant multiple slips.

Care and Maintenance

Watering

• Consistent Moisture: Sweet potatoes need consistent moisture but should not be waterlogged. Water the plants deeply once or twice a week, depending on the weather and container size. Ensure the soil remains moist but not soggy.

Sunlight

• Full Sun: Sweet potatoes thrive in full sun. Place your container in a location that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Fertilization

• Feeding: Fertilize the plants every few weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Be cautious not to over-fertilize, especially with nitrogen, as this can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of tuber development.

Support

• Trellising: If growing a vining variety, provide a trellis or stakes to support the vines and keep them off the ground.

Harvesting Sweet Potatoes

Timing

• Maturity: Sweet potatoes typically mature in 90 to 120 days. The leaves will start to yellow when they are ready to harvest.
• Frost: Harvest before the first frost, as cold temperatures can damage the tubers.

Harvesting Process

• Careful Digging: Use your hands or a garden fork to carefully dig around the base of the plant and lift the tubers out. Be gentle to avoid bruising or damaging the sweet potatoes.

Curing and Storing

Curing

• Process: After harvesting, cure the sweet potatoes by placing them in a warm, humid environment (about 80-85°F and 85-90% humidity) for 1-2 weeks. This process helps to heal any cuts or bruises and convert starches to sugars, improving flavor and storage quality.

Storing

• Storage: After curing, store the sweet potatoes in a cool, dark, and dry place. Properly cured and stored sweet potatoes can last for several months.

Common Pests and Problems

Pests

• Aphids and Weevils: Keep an eye out for common pests like aphids and sweet potato weevils. Regularly inspect the plants and use organic pest control methods if needed.

Diseases

• Fungal Issues: Ensure good air circulation and avoid overwatering to prevent fungal diseases such as root rot and blight.

By following these guidelines, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of sweet potatoes from your container garden.