In a recent video, we harvested sweet potatoes that we planted from store-bought tubers, and the results were simply rewarding. If you’ve ever wondered how long it takes for sweet potatoes to grow, what to expect during the process, and the health benefits they offer, this updated guide is for you. We’ll also cover common pests to watch out for, the advantages of growing your own sweet potatoes at home, and finish with three delicious sweet potato recipes.
Growth Timeline: From Planting to Harvest
When planting sweet potatoes, patience is key. Sweet potato tubers typically take between 90 to 120 days to fully mature. After planting your slips (which are the sprouts from your sweet potato tubers), you’ll notice that they need warm soil to thrive. Sweet potatoes love the heat, so plant them after the last frost when the soil temperature reaches at least 60°F (15°C).
Throughout the growing season, you’ll witness lush, vine-like foliage taking over the garden bed. The underground growth, where the magic happens, develops as long as the conditions remain warm and moist.
Harvesting Sweet Potatoes
When is the right time to dig up your sweet potato treasures? Sweet potatoes are ready to harvest once the leaves start to yellow, usually around 3 to 4 months after planting. We recommend checking the size of the tubers by gently digging around one plant to ensure they’re large enough.
Carefully dig around the plant, being cautious not to damage the tubers. It’s best to harvest sweet potatoes before the first frost, as cold temperatures can harm their quality. After harvesting, cure the sweet potatoes by placing them in a warm (around 80°F) and humid area for 7 to 10 days. This process sweetens them and helps with storage.
Common Pests to Watch Out For
Like any crop, sweet potatoes can be affected by pests. Some of the most common ones include:
Sweet Potato Weevils: These small beetles are the most damaging pests for sweet potatoes, boring into the tubers and causing significant losses.
Wireworms: These pests can damage tubers by creating unsightly holes and tunnels.
Root-knot Nematodes: These microscopic worms affect the root system, leading to smaller tubers and overall weaker plants.
You can protect your crop by rotating the sweet potatoes with other crops each year and using organic pest control methods like neem oil or beneficial nematodes.
Here is a link to the neem oil we use:
Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a nutritional powerhouse, making them an excellent addition to any diet. Here are just a few health benefits they offer:
Rich in Vitamin A: Just one sweet potato provides over 400% of your daily recommended intake of vitamin A, which is essential for eye health and immune function.
Packed with Fiber: Sweet potatoes are high in fiber, which aids digestion and supports gut health.
High in Antioxidants: These tubers are loaded with antioxidants like beta-carotene, which protect the body from free radicals.
Regulates Blood Sugar: Despite their sweetness, sweet potatoes have a low glycemic index, meaning they help regulate blood sugar levels rather than spike them.
Advantages of Growing Sweet Potatoes at Home
Why should you consider growing sweet potatoes in your own garden? Here are a few advantages:
1. Cost-Effective: Starting with a store-bought sweet potato is an inexpensive way to grow your own food. For the price of one tuber, you can generate an abundant harvest.
2. Fresher Taste: There’s nothing quite like the flavor of freshly harvested sweet potatoes compared to store-bought varieties that have been stored for weeks.
3. Control Over Growing Conditions: When you grow sweet potatoes at home, you control how they’re grown, avoiding harmful chemicals and pesticides often used in commercial farming.
4. Sustainability: Growing your own food reduces your carbon footprint and supports a sustainable lifestyle. Plus, the vines and leaves of sweet potatoes can also be consumed or composted, creating a zero-waste cycle in your garden.
Sweet Potato Recipes to Try at Home
Now that you’ve harvested your own sweet potatoes, here are three easy and nutritious recipes to enjoy your bounty:
Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Cut sweet potatoes into wedges, toss them in olive oil, and season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
Roast for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through until they’re golden and crisp.
Sweet Potato Curry
Ingredients:
Diced sweet potatoes, coconut milk, curry paste, chickpeas, shredded kale, garlic, ginger, onion, and spices (turmeric, cumin, coriander).
Instructions:
1. Sauté onion, garlic, and ginger until fragrant.
2. Add curry paste and spices, cooking for 2 minutes.
3. Stir in sweet potatoes, coconut milk, and chickpeas. Simmer until sweet potatoes are tender.
4. Add kale at the end and cook until wilted. Serve with quinoa, wild rice, or rice of your choice
Sweet Potato & Lentil Stew
Ingredients:
Sweet potatoes, red lentils, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, cilantro, and lemon juice.
Instructions:
1. Sauté onion and garlic in a pot until soft.
2. Add sweet potatoes, lentils, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth. Simmer for 20-25 minutes until sweet potatoes and lentils are cooked.
3. Season with cumin, coriander, and lemon juice. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
Baked Sweet Potato Falafel
Ingredients:
Mashed roasted sweet potatoes, chickpeas, garlic, cumin, coriander, parsley, flour (or chickpea flour for gluten-free), and sesame seeds.
Instructions:
1. Blend sweet potatoes, chickpeas, garlic, herbs, and spices in a food processor until smooth.
2. Mix in flour to form a dough. Shape into small patties or balls and roll in sesame seeds.
3. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Serve with hummus or tahini sauce.
Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie
Ingredients:
Mashed sweet potatoes, lentils, mushrooms, carrots, peas, onion, garlic, vegetable broth, and herbs (thyme, rosemary).
Instructions:
1. Sauté onion, garlic, and mushrooms. Add lentils, carrots, and peas, and cook with vegetable broth and herbs until thickened.
2. Spread the lentil mixture into a baking dish and top with mashed sweet potatoes.
3. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes until golden.
Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad
Ingredients:
Roasted sweet potatoes, cooked quinoa, spinach, avocado, red onion, dried cranberries, walnuts, and a lemon-tahini dressing.
Instructions:
1. Roast sweet potatoes until caramelized.
2. Mix cooked quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, spinach, avocado, red onion, cranberries, and walnuts in a large bowl.
3. Drizzle with a lemon-tahini dressing made from tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, and water.
These recipes are packed with nutrients and flavor, making them perfect for any meal. Enjoy experimenting with your sweet potato harvest!
In closing, growing sweet potatoes from store-bought tubers is a simple and rewarding process that provides a nutritious, delicious harvest. With a bit of patience and care, you can enjoy homegrown sweet potatoes in as little as four months. Plus, the satisfaction of knowing exactly where your food comes from makes every bite even sweeter. Don't forget to check out our new video where we dive into the harvesting process and show you how to maximize your yield!
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