This is the first year I ever tried to grow Sweet Potatoes and so I am looking for advice on how to harvest them and save some for slips for next year.
I almost didn't get these plants past Spring as the rabbits ate the H%$ll out of em and I thought had killed em all but luckily they came back. Believe it or not there is actually an 8x4 foot raised bed under that mass of Sweet Potato leaves.
So my questions to all you Sweet Potato growing experts out there are.
When should I start thinking about harvesting the potato goodies that I just know lie in wait for me under those vines?
The information I been reading suggests right before a frost but that may not be until the end of October around here.
What's the best way to save a few slips until next year?
The info I read suggest the potatoes themselves only store about 6 months or so. If that's the case should I cut and store slips differently or store a whole potato until next year?
Yes I am a Sweet Potato Newb and other than JuGM (I think it was her) once writing a post that almost made me want to date a Sweet Potato I have no prior experience with growing these things only eating them around Thanksgiving time.
Any input is appreciated!!!
Keep Prepping Everyone!!!
I suggest saving some of your best sweet potatoes as long as possible. A month before you want to plant place in a clear bowl or jar of water (half submerged) , place in a warm, sunny window and watch the vine grow. When spring comes, break off stem at each leaf at nodules along vines and plant in hills in beds or large containers. Just harvested some monsters from a sweet potato a friend gave me from Mississippi. They are perfect to survive the climate and fire ants here in southern Florida. Delicious and love the history involved. When northern armies came thru the south and stole or burned all food in their path they didn't realize the sweet potatoes and yams were a buried treasure. Many southern families harvested them to survive. Have my harvested vines setting in a bucket of water to replant as soon as they start to root. Plan to try to keep a crop going continuously unless have a killing frost.
ReplyDeleteJust go buy them at the store, why go to all that trouble???? I can't help not a clue. Bahaha.
ReplyDeleteCheck out my new blog....http://atthelakeinthewoods14.blogspot.com/ I have you listed already.
Amen Rob! Just go buy the darn things PP..lol
DeleteAnd what happens when ya can't buy em anymore? Hmmmmm?
DeleteHave SP's for the first time this year too, and have the same questions. The vines are gorgeous, may plant them in front in planters next year. Have also heard if they are harvested too soon, they are tasteless.
ReplyDeleteJan - I read that too. Suppose to just brush the dirt off and let em cure for a week to 10 days.
DeleteGood Gawd Another shout out... Yes I am the guilty party that did the sweet potato post....
ReplyDeleteWish I could help you..but the only thing I know to do with sweet potatoes is bake them and slather them with lots of butter....ohhhh my mouth is watering... Thanks PP. Now I am hungry for one. The next best thing to a baked one are those new sweet potato fries...
JuGM - You made that Sweet Potato sound like a horny stripper.
DeleteNot a tater expert altho I've grown them for the past 4-5yrs...but I can tell you what NOT to do.
ReplyDeleteDont grow them under plastic. Had the same problem you had with critters so I figured I would hide them. The tubers grew aboveground and were a weird twisted mess. Looked like an orgy of intergrown weirdness. And I hilled them up too.
As for storing them I kept mine in our unheated parts room. friend of mine pressure cans them. Im sure there is instructions on the web. As for saving or growing slips I should try this too .
For the sake of learning experience my kid and I have been saving seeds from everything possible -just for the exercise of doing it. You could try growing slips from a store-bought s.p.
I dont know if they douse them with growth inhibitors like reg.potatoes,as they arent really potatoes and they last much longer in storage. Good luck. I hope you post your results.
Fjord
oh and Harvest them when the vine starts to yellow and let them cure like you would onions or reg potatoes - for at least a week or two. Theyll taste better.
ReplyDeleteFjord
Fjord - Thanks. I am going to wait until the vines turn Yellow and hope I do it all right. Not sure how long the slips will stay viable which is my big question right now.
DeleteThanks for the advice!!!
I sent you an email
ReplyDeleteRob - Sent ya one back.
Deletei replied just now
DeletePP,
ReplyDeleteI would harvest them when the leaves on the vines start to turn yellow (if you can't wait for the first frost).
As for slips, I harvest all of my potatoes and store them in a cool place. Over the winter and just before spring, I look in my pantry basket for potatoes with slips growing from the eyes in the sweet potato. Then cut the potato in pieces and plant the eyes with the slips growing in soil. I don't sit the potato in water to grow roots.
Sandy - Good to know. You keep the entire potato and then cut the slips off of it before planting... Thank you!!!
DeleteHere in Plant City When I harvest I sort the big ones to eat and the smalls just sit on the north side of my house until spring planting. In about end of Jan. I will put in a large pot w/ dirt and water. Presto! New slips... MrKelly
ReplyDeleteMrKelly - Plant city? So how far South are you? I doubt my small ones would survive all Winter.
DeleteJust outside of Tampa. Store yer smalls in the garage or basement just keep from freezing and 2 months before planting date start the smalls in a greenhouse or cold frame.
DeleteJust stick in dirt about 2 inches pointy side down and keep moist. I grow 100 ft row a year and get about 100 lbs.
Buy the way, those leaves cook like spinach.
DeleteSuper Recipe for Sweet Potato Casserole
ReplyDeleteSweet Potatoes with Bourbon From: Thelma Clay Linton (Harrodsburg Ky. Caterer)
3 C sweet potatoes (cooked, peeled, mashed)- 1C sugar, 1 stick butter, (melted) 2 eggs (beaten) 1tsp. vanilla, 1/3 C milk, 1 tsp. Bourbon (I use a lot more) Topping: 1/2 C brown sugar, 1/4 C flour, 1/2 stick of butter, 1/2 C chopped pecans. Mix together first 7 ingredients and spread in a casserole dish. Mix together topping and spread on top of sweet potatoes. Bake at 350 until hot and bubbles up (about 20 minutes ).So rich can only eat on major holidays. Leftovers eaten cold taste like candy. Usually triple recipe for holiday family dinners Very forgiving recipe that you can tweak with more Brown sugar, pecans, bourbon and butter. Delicious!! AND THAT"S WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THE SOUTH!!!
Anon - That sounds like the kinda recipe that would melt someone's teeth LOL. I bet I couldn't eat but maybe a bite or two. I can't even eat half a piece of cheescake without it being too much sweet.
Delete