Growing sweet potatoes in Zone 7 can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. These warm-season crops thrive in areas with long, hot summers, making Zone 7 an ideal location for their cultivation. Here is a detailed guide on how to grow sweet potatoes in Zone 7:
1. Choosing the right variety: Select a sweet potato variety that is suitable for your climate and growing conditions. Some popular varieties for Zone 7 include Beauregard, Covington, and Georgia Jet. These varieties are known for their excellent flavor and high yield.
2. Soil preparation: Sweet potatoes prefer loose, well-draining soil. Before planting, ensure that the soil is free from rocks, clumps, and debris. Incorporate organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil fertility and structure. Conduct a soil test to determine the pH level and make necessary amendments to achieve a slightly acidic pH of around 5.8 to 6.2.
3. Planting time: Sweet potatoes require a long, warm growing season to produce well-developed tubers. In Zone 7, it is best to start sweet potato slips indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. This will give the slips enough time to grow and develop before transplanting them outside. Transplant the slips outdoors when the soil has warmed up and all danger of frost has passed, usually in late spring or early summer.
4. Planting method: Sweet potatoes are typically propagated from slips, which are young shoots that grow from mature sweet potatoes. You can purchase slips from a local nursery or start your own by placing a sweet potato in a jar of water until it sprouts. Once the slips are about 6-8 inches long, gently remove them from the sweet potato and plant them in the prepared soil. Space the slips about 12-18 inches apart in rows that are 3-4 feet apart.
5. Care and maintenance: Sweet potatoes require regular care to ensure optimal growth and tuber development. Here are a few key tasks to keep in mind:
– Watering: Sweet potatoes need consistent moisture, especially during dry periods. Water deeply, providing about 1 inch of water per week. Be careful not to overwater, as excessive moisture can lead to rotting.
– Fertilization: Prior to planting, incorporate a balanced fertilizer into the soil according to package instructions. Avoid applying additional fertilizer once the plants start growing, as this can promote excessive vine growth at the expense of tuber development. However, side-dressing with compost or aged manure during the growing season can help provide additional nutrients.
– Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as straw or wood chips, around the sweet potato plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
– Pest and disease management: Monitor the plants regularly for common pests like sweet potato weevils, aphids, and whiteflies. Use organic pest control methods or insecticidal soaps if necessary. Rotate the crop every year to minimize the risk of soil-borne diseases.
6. Harvesting: Sweet potatoes are typically ready for harvest 90-120 days after planting, depending on the variety. Harvesting can be done in late summer or early fall when the foliage starts to yellow and die back. Carefully dig up the tubers using a garden fork or spade, taking care not to damage them. Cure the harvested sweet potatoes by placing them in a warm, well-ventilated area for 1-2 weeks. This allows the skins to toughen up and enhances their flavor and storage life.
7. Storage: After curing, store sweet potatoes in a cool, dark, and dry place with good ventilation. Ideally, the temperature should be around 55-60°F (13-16°C) with a humidity level of 75-80%. Properly stored sweet potatoes can last for several months.
Growing sweet potatoes in Zone 7 can be a rewarding experience, providing you with a bountiful harvest of delicious tubers. By following these guidelines and providing the necessary care, you can enjoy the satisfaction of growing your own sweet potatoes right in your backyard.
