How To Grow Sweet Potato Starts And Make Your Own Delicious Sweet Potatoes This Year
Growing your own sweet potatoes at home is easier than you might think—and incredibly rewarding. These nutrient-rich root vegetables are packed with fiber, vitamin A, and antioxidants, making them a perfect addition to a healthy lifestyle. By learning how to grow sweet potato starts (also called slips), you can enjoy fresh, chemical-free sweet potatoes straight from your garden this year.
Why Grow Sweet Potatoes at Home?
Sweet potatoes are not only delicious but also one of the healthiest carbohydrates you can eat. Homegrown sweet potatoes:
Contain no pesticides or preservatives
Taste sweeter and fresher than store-bought
Are budget-friendly and sustainable
Grow well in warm climates and containers
Step 1: Choose the Right Sweet Potato
Select an organic, healthy sweet potato from a trusted source. Organic potatoes are important because non-organic ones are often treated with growth inhibitors that prevent sprouting.
Tip: Medium-sized sweet potatoes work best for producing multiple slips.
Step 2: Grow Sweet Potato Starts (Slips)
There are two simple methods to grow slips at home:
Method 1: Water Method
Insert toothpicks halfway into the sweet potato.
Suspend it in a jar of water, with the bottom half submerged.
Place it in a warm, sunny spot.
Change the water every 2–3 days.
In about 2–3 weeks, leafy sprouts (slips) will emerge.
Method 2: Soil Method
Fill a shallow tray with moist potting soil.
Lay the sweet potato horizontally and lightly cover with soil.
Keep warm and consistently moist.
Slips will appear in 2–4 weeks.
Step 3: Separate and Root the Slips
Once slips are 4–6 inches long:
Gently twist them off the sweet potato.
Place slips in water for a few days until roots develop.
Now your sweet potato starts are ready for planting!
Step 4: Planting Sweet Potato Slips
Sweet potatoes love warm weather.
Plant outdoors after the last frost
Soil temperature should be above 18°C (65°F)
Space slips 12–18 inches apart
Plant in raised beds, garden soil, or large containers
Water well after planting.
Step 5: Caring for Sweet Potato Plants
Sweet potatoes are low-maintenance but thrive with basic care:
Water regularly, especially during dry spells
Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds
Avoid excess nitrogen—it promotes leaves, not tubers
Vines will spread quickly, forming lush green coverage.
Step 6: Harvesting Your Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are ready to harvest in 90–120 days.
Signs they’re ready:
Leaves begin to yellow
Vines slow their growth
Carefully dig around the base to avoid damaging the roots.
Step 7: Cure for Better Flavor
Curing enhances sweetness and shelf life.
Store harvested sweet potatoes in a warm (27–30°C), humid area
Cure for 7–10 days
Then store in a cool, dry place
Healthy Ways to Enjoy Your Homegrown Sweet Potatoes
Baked with olive oil and herbs
Mashed with garlic and yogurt
Roasted in salads and grain bowls
Added to soups, curries, and healthy desserts
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