Growing – Time to Plant!

by sweetpotatosociety | Jun 10, 2018 | Growing

Now for the part you’ve been preparing for! If you’ve followed along so far and have prepared your soil, this next step is super easy and satisfying. Your slips are looking healthy and strong and are ready to go into the ground and fulfill their sweet potato destiny!

Good looking slip ready to start growing

Trying one in a container

Very sad slip came in the mail – but with a little love it perked back up!

IT’S EASY
Just mound up the soil, dig a hole and plant your slip about half way in. Bury it enough to keep it sturdy but don’t cover up the leaves.

The slips that came in the mail were looking pretty ragged when they arrived. I think that’s normal for mail order ones. I planted them immediately the next day. The Red Japanese variety perked up right away and took off growing well. The Carolina Ruby variety has taken a bit longer to establish itself. They still look a little weak after about a month now, but they’re slowly growing stronger.

The slips I rooted myself looked great, as well as the six-pack of Beauregards I purchased from Home Depot. Next year I’ll try to make my own slips from my mail-order varieties so I don’t have to order them again.

Instructions

Step 1

Mound up your loose soil and lay your slips down where you’d like each one planted. Leave at least 12-18 inches between plants and a bit more between rows. I like to do kind of a zigzag stagger. They will definitely spread out in a big way.

Step 2

Dig a hole with a hand shovel and place your slip into it about half way up the stem. You want it sturdily in the ground but with all the leaves above the soil.

Step 3

Water water water and mulch heavily with straw. For the first few weeks after planting, water often to get the roots nice and established.

Step 4

Pat yourself on the back – you’ve just planted sweet potatoes! Now you’ll have to be patient (for like over 100 days!). Plenty of time to join the Sweet Potato Society!