Hey there, sweet potato lovers!
Jules here from Sweet Bombdiggity Farms, and I’m so excited to share everything sweet potatoes! Let’s dive into all things growing, harvesting, and cooking these orange gems. Sweet potatoes are a dream crop because they’re low maintenance, and when it’s time to dig them up, it’s like finding treasure in the soil. You plant them, forget about them, and suddenly, it’s harvest time — Christmas in the garden! Let’s dig into this guide together, so you can grow, harvest, and enjoy sweet potatoes all year long.
How and When to Plant
Sweet potatoes love warm weather, so wait until the soil is consistently above 60°F — typically about three to four weeks after the last frost. You’ll need “slips” (baby plants), which you can buy or grow yourself by sprouting a sweet potato. Plant the slips about 12-18 inches apart, leaving rows 3 feet apart for their vines to spread. They thrive in loose, well-drained soil, so consider adding compost or sand to make the soil just right. Remember, they love sunbathing, so find the sunniest spot in your garden.
Pro Tip: Water the slips well when planting, then keep them hydrated for the first few weeks. After that, sweet potatoes are pretty drought-tolerant. Easy, right?
Common Pests and How to Handle Them
Even though sweet potatoes are generally low-maintenance, a few pests might visit:
Sweet Potato Weevils: These tiny critters bore into the vines and roots, leaving you with damaged tubers. To prevent them, rotate crops each year and plant certified disease-free slips. You can also use floating row covers to keep them at bay.
Wireworms and White Grubs: These soil-dwelling pests can chew through your sweet potato roots. To combat them, till the soil well before planting to expose and remove them. Adding beneficial nematodes to your soil is also a natural way to control these pests.
Aphids: These little sap-suckers can gather on the vines, but they’re easily handled with a strong spray of water or insecticidal soap.
Harvesting — The Fun Part!
Sweet potatoes are ready to harvest about 90-120 days after planting, when the vines start to yellow and die back. Use a garden fork to gently lift the tubers — they’re delicate, so be gentle! Trust me, it’s so satisfying to uncover those golden-orange beauties. It’s best to harvest before the first frost, as the cold can damage the tubers.
Curing and Storage
Once harvested, sweet potatoes need to cure for about 7-10 days in a warm (80-85°F), humid spot. This process helps them develop their natural sweetness and toughens up their skins for storage. After curing, move them to a cooler, dark place (around 55-60°F) where they’ll keep for up to 6 months. No refrigeration needed — they prefer it cozy!
Tip: Store them in crates or baskets with good airflow. Sweet potatoes like to breathe!
Sweet Potato Recipes
I couldn’t let you go without sharing a couple of my favorite ways to enjoy sweet potatoes. These recipes are perfect for cozy dinners or quick snacks!
Southern Sweet Potato Fluff with Pecan Topping and Green Apples
This fluff is comfort food at its finest — with a twist! The green apples add a fresh, tart contrast to the sweetness of the sweet potatoes and pecans.
Ingredients
4 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped green apples (mix these right into the sweet potato base)
Topping: 1 cup chopped pecans, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp melted butter, 2 tsp flour
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
In a large bowl, combine the mashed sweet potatoes, melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir in the chopped green apples.
Transfer the mixture to a baking dish.
In a separate bowl, mix the topping ingredients (including the flour) and sprinkle over the sweet potato mixture.
Bake for 30 minutes until the topping is golden and the sweet potatoes are bubbling.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Quick, crispy, and healthy — these fries are a bombdiggity snack!
Ingredients
2 large sweet potatoes, cut into fries
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt to taste
Directions
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
Toss the sweet potato fries in olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
Spread them in a single layer in the air fryer basket (you may need to do this in batches).
Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through until crispy.
Enjoy these fries as a snack or side dish — they’re a farm favorite!
Ready to Grow Sweet Potatoes?
Sweet potatoes are a joy to grow, and with a little planning, you’ll have a bumper crop that keeps on giving. Follow this guide, and soon enough, you’ll be unearthing your sweet, orange treasure. Happy planting, y’all!