Sweet potatoes are one of the oldest vegetables known to man and have been cultivated for over 10,000 years. They are native to South America but now grow in many parts of the world. Sweet potatoes are hearty, sweet-tasting root vegetables. They come in many different shapes and sizes; their skin can be white, yellow, orange, red, or purple. So, how to grow sweet potatoes in containers?
Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamins A and C and a good source of fiber. If you want to grow them yourself, sweet potatoes are relatively easy to cultivate. They can be grown in most climates and only need a few hours of sunlight daily.
Sweet potatoes differ from yams in a few key ways. First, sweet potatoes are grown annually, whereas yams are perennial. Second, sweet potatoes have smooth skin while yams have rough, scaly skin. Finally, sweet potatoes come in various colors, including white, yellow, orange, and even purple, whereas yams are generally only brown or red. You can also grow them in the container.
How To Grow Sweet Potatoes In Containers
Sweet potatoes are a versatile root vegetable that you may cook in several ways. They can also be baked, boiled, roasted, or fried and taste great in soups, stews, and salads. Sweet potatoes are also simple to cultivate, even when grown in pots. Here are a few tips for how to grow sweet potatoes in containers:
Choose The Container:
Growing sweet potatoes in containers is a great way to enjoy this tasty and nutritious vegetable, even if you don’t have a lot of space. But before you start, selecting the right type of container is important. The best containers for growing sweet potatoes are deep and wide, with plenty of drainage holes. Sweet potatoes have long roots, so they need room to spread out. A 5-gallon bucket or an 18-inch plastic planter are both good options.
Whatever type of container you choose, ensure it is clean and has never been used for chemicals. Now that you have the perfect container, it’s time to start growing your sweet potatoes!
Prepare The Soil:
Sweet potatoes need nutrient-rich, well-draining soil to thrive. You can improve your store-bought potting mix by mixing in some compost or organic matter. You can also mix your potting with equal parts sand, peat moss, and per lite.
If you’re using a container that doesn’t have drainage holes, you’ll need to take extra care when watering your sweet potatoes. Too much water can cause the roots to rot, so letting the soil dry out between watering is important.
Plant The Sweet Potatoes:
You can plant sweet potatoes in one of two ways: from slips or seed potatoes. Slips are young sweet potato plants that have been started from mature potatoes. They can be purchased from a garden center or online, and they’re the easiest way to start growing sweet potatoes.
If you’re using slips, plant them in the soil with the roots pointing down and the top of the slip above the soil line. If you’re using seed potatoes, plant them in the soil with the eyes facing up. Each potato should be about 8 inches apart.
Water The Plants:
Once your sweet potatoes are planted, water them well and continue to water them regularly, ensuring the soil stays moist but not soggy. Too much or too little water can cause problems, so keeping an eye on the soil and adjusting your watering as needed is important.
Harvest The Sweet Potatoes:
Sweet potatoes are typically ready to harvest about 100 days after planting. To check if they’re ready, gently dig around the base of the plant with your fingers. If the sweet potatoes are big enough to eat, they’ll come out easily. If you can’t harvest all of the sweet potatoes at once, don’t worry! You can store them in a cool, dark place for up to two months. Sweet potatoes are delicious and nutritious root vegetables that are relatively easy to grow, even in containers. Following these tips, you can enjoy fresh sweet potatoes all season long.
How To Take Care Of Sweet Potatoes In Containers?
Sweet potatoes are a great choice for growing in containers. They are relatively easy to care for and provide a bountiful harvest of delicious sweet potatoes. Here are a few tips for how to take care of sweet potatoes in containers:
Watering:
Water your sweet potatoes regularly, ensuring the soil stays moist but not soggy. Too much or too little water can cause problems, so keeping an eye on the soil and adjusting your watering as needed is important.
Fertilizing:
Fertilize your sweet potatoes every two weeks with a balanced fertilizer. This will help them to grow healthy and produce a good yield. Remember to follow the package directions carefully, so you do not over or under-fertilize your plants.
Harvesting:
Sweet potatoes are typically ready to harvest about 100 days after planting. To check if they’re ready, gently dig around the base of the plant with your fingers. If the sweet potatoes are big enough to eat, they’ll come out easily. If you follow these tips, you will be well on growing a successful crop of sweet potatoes in containers.
How To Troubleshoot Sweet Potatoes In Containers?
If your sweet potato plants are wilting, it could be due to several reasons. It could be that they’re not getting enough water or the soil is too dry. It could also be that the roots are too cold or the plants suffer from root rot. If you’re unsure what the problem is, the best course of action is to look at the roots. If they’re white and healthy, the plant is probably just thirsty. If they’re brown and mushy, the plant is likely suffering from root rot.
There are a few things you can do to prevent sweet potato plants from wilting, including:
- Watering regularly and evenly
- Mulching the soil to help retain moisture
- Protecting the roots from cold weather
- Avoiding planting in soggy soil
- Improving drainage if the soil is too heavy
- Not over watering
If your sweet potato plants are wilting, taking action is important. You can keep your plants healthy and productive by troubleshooting the problem and taking steps to prevent it from happening again.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, sweet potatoes are a great choice for growing in containers. They are relatively easy to care for and provide a bountiful harvest of delicious sweet potatoes. Watering, fertilizing, and harvesting are the key components of taking care of sweet potatoes in containers. Following these tips, you can enjoy fresh sweet potatoes all season long. Thanks for reading!
You can also read:
How to Grow Vegetables in Containers
Compost – 7 Tips To Make Your Own at Home
