How to Harvest and Store Sweet Potatoes | Gardener's Path

Apparently, “sweet root vegetable” just didn’t have the same ring to it as “sweet potato,” so we’re stuck with a misnamed – albeit delicious – vegetable.

For the sweet potato is not related to regular potatoes. Not in any way, shape, or form. Not even third cousins twice removed.

No matter. A vegetable by any other name would taste as sweet, and whatever its name, Ipomea batata is tasty, easy to grow, and easy to harvest, once you understand the particulars.

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Let’s dig in!

Most sweet potato varieties are ready to harvest after about 100 days of growth, though you’ll find a range of 90-120 days. You may also come across some newer varieties designed for the shorter growing season in the north.

Some gardeners swear the best-tasting sweet potatoes are those that have experienced a single light frost. If this is your goal, be sure to time your planting and harvest just right, because these tropical plants won’t tolerate much chilly weather.

In addition to checking the calendar, you can also look for yellowing leaves and vines, as this is an indication of readiness.

When you’ve decided the time is right, and it’s time for harvest, find a nice sharp spade and a spading fork (aka potato fork), if you have one.

Since you can’t see what you’re digging up, you’ll want to be careful not to damage your precious tubers.

On a dry, overcast day, gently loosen the soil with a spade about 18 inches away from the center of your plants, and about 6 inches deep. It’s also best if the soil is dry so less dirt sticks to the tubers.

Then