Cultivating sweet potatoes in soil bags is a great option, especially if you have limited space or poor soil quality. Here’s a guide to successfully growing sweet potatoes in soil bags:
1. Choosing the Right Soil Bags:
- Opt for large, sturdy bags with good drainage holes. Fabric grow bags or heavy-duty plastic bags work well.
- Ensure the bags are at least 12-18 inches deep to accommodate the sweet potato roots.
2. Selecting Sweet Potato Varieties:
- Choose sweet potato varieties suited to your climate and growing season length.
- Common varieties include Beauregard, Jewel, Covington, and Georgia Jet.
3. Preparing the Soil:
- Use a well-draining potting mix with added compost or aged manure for nutrients.
- Fill the soil bags about halfway full with the prepared soil mixture.
4. Preparing Sweet Potato Slips:
- Purchase sweet potato slips from a reputable nursery or create your own by sprouting sweet potatoes indoors.
- To sprout your own slips, suspend sweet potatoes partially submerged in water in a warm, sunny location. Once they develop roots and shoots, carefully remove and plant them.
5. Planting Sweet Potato Slips:
- Plant the sweet potato slips in the soil bags, spacing them about 12 inches apart.
- Bury each slip halfway into the soil, ensuring the leaves are above the soil surface.
6. Care and Maintenance:
- Water the sweet potatoes regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- Sweet potatoes are heavy feeders, so fertilize with a balanced fertilizer or compost tea every few weeks.
- Keep the plants well-weeded to reduce competition for nutrients and water.
- Sweet potatoes thrive in warm temperatures, so provide them with plenty of sunlight or a warm, sheltered location.
7. Harvesting:
- Sweet potatoes are typically ready for harvest 3-4 months after planting, depending on the variety and growing conditions.
- To harvest, carefully dig around the base of the plant and gently lift the sweet potatoes from the soil.
- Handle sweet potatoes carefully to avoid bruising or damaging the skin.
8. Curing and Storing:
- Cure freshly harvested sweet potatoes by placing them in a warm, humid location (80-85°F/27-29°C) for about 10-14 days. This allows the skins to toughen and flavors to develop.
- After curing, store sweet potatoes in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area. Avoid refrigeration, as it can negatively impact their texture and flavor.
By following these steps, you can successfully grow sweet potatoes in soil bags and enjoy a bountiful harvest!