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Growing successful yam and sweet potato crops is easier than ever. Thanks to improved varieties, comprehensive online resources, and study sites like this one, you'll be harvesting abundant tubers in no time.
These growing tips will keep you focused and ensure success in your garden. Use them as a guideline -- you know your growing conditions better than anyone else, so adapt these tips to suit your needs:
See also Old Farmer's Almanac: Sweet Potato Growing Guide
* Sweet potatoes are easier to grow in temperate climates. True yams require tropical conditions. Most gardeners in the US grow sweet potatoes.
More informationStarting your slips (young sweet potato plants) indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date gives your plants a head start on the growing season. Place cut sweet potato pieces in water or moist soil and wait for sprouts to emerge.
Pro tip: One sweet potato can produce 10-20 slips, so you don't need many to start a productive patch.
Yams and sweet potatoes thrive in loose, well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Sandy loam is ideal. Work in plenty of compost before planting to improve drainage and add nutrients.
Avoid heavy clay soils which cause tubers to become misshapen and increase risk of disease. Raised beds work wonderfully for yam cultivation in problematic soils.
Different varieties have different characteristics. Beauregard is reliable and high-yielding. Covington is prized for flavor. Japanese varieties offer purple flesh with exceptional nutrition. Georgia Jet does well in northern climates.
Research which varieties perform best in your region and growing season length before ordering slips.
Common pests include sweet potato weevils, slugs, and nematodes. Prevention is key: rotate crops, remove plant debris, and encourage beneficial insects. Neem oil and diatomaceous earth are effective organic treatments.
Pro tip: Vine borer moths lay eggs at the base of plants; wrapping stems with aluminum foil can provide a physical barrier.
Sweet potatoes are ready when leaves begin yellowing. Dig carefully to avoid bruising—the skin is delicate at harvest. Cure harvested tubers in a warm, humid place for 10-14 days to enhance sweetness and extend storage life.
True yams are harvested when vines die back, typically 8-12 months after planting depending on variety and climate.