Sweet potatoes are a heat-loving, nutritious crop that thrives in Central Texas’ long growing season. With their sprawling vines and vibrant tubers, they’re both productive and visually appealing in the garden.

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Choosing the Right Sweet Potato Varieties

• Orange-Fleshed: Beauregard, Jewel
• Purple-Fleshed: Okinawan, Stokes Purple
• White-Fleshed: O’Henry

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When to Plant Sweet Potatoes

• Slips (Sprouts): Plant in mid to late April, once the soil temperature is consistently above 65°F.

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How to Plant Sweet Potatoes

1. Soil Preparation: Use loose, sandy soil enriched with compost. A pH of 5.5-6.5 is ideal.
2. Planting Depth: Bury slips up to their first leaves.
3. Spacing: Space slips 12-18 inches apart in rows, with rows 3-4 feet apart to accommodate their sprawling vines.

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Caring for Your Sweet Potato Plants

1. Watering: Water consistently during the first few weeks after planting, then reduce to once a week as plants establish.
2. Fertilizing: Use a low-nitrogen fertilizer to encourage tuber growth over foliage.
3. Mulching: Apply mulch to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

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Pests and Diseases

• Common Pests: Sweet potato weevils and wireworms. Use row covers and rotate crops to manage pests.
• Diseases: Root rot and scurf. Ensure proper spacing and avoid overwatering.

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Harvesting Sweet Potatoes

• Harvest sweet potatoes 90-120 days after planting, once the leaves begin to yellow.
• Cure harvested tubers in a warm, humid space for 1-2 weeks to enhance their sweetness before storing.