When it comes to ordering sweet potato slips, timing is crucial for a successful harvest. Sweet potato slips are young plants that are grown from the sprouts, or slips, that emerge from a sweet potato tuber. These slips need time to develop and mature before they can be transplanted into your garden.
Ideally, you should start ordering sweet potato slips about six weeks before your last frost date in the spring. This timing allows for the slips to be delivered to you and gives them enough time to grow and develop before being planted outdoors. Keep in mind that the slips take about eight weeks to mature, so it’s important to plan accordingly.
To determine your last frost date, you can consult a gardening calendar or use an online tool specific to your location. Knowing this date is essential for many gardeners as it helps them plan when to start various gardening tasks, including ordering sweet potato slips.
Once you have the estimated last frost date, count back six weeks and mark that as your starting point for ordering sweet potato slips. This will give you ample time to receive the slips and provide them with the necessary care before transplanting them into your garden.
It’s worth noting that the exact timing may vary depending on your specific climate and growing conditions. If you live in an area with a shorter growing season or a colder climate, you may need to adjust the timing accordingly. In such situations, you may consider starting the slips indoors or using protective measures like row covers to extend the growing season.
Personal experience: In my own garden, I live in a region with a relatively short growing season. I usually order my sweet potato slips around mid to late March, which is about six weeks before our average last frost date in early May. This timing has worked well for me, allowing the slips to grow and develop before being planted outdoors. However, I always keep an eye on the weather forecast and adjust my plans if needed, as unexpected late frosts can still occur.
To summarize, ordering sweet potato slips should be done approximately six weeks before your last frost date in the spring. This timing ensures that the slips have enough time to mature and be ready for transplanting into your garden. However, it’s important to consider your specific climate and growing conditions, and make any necessary adjustments to accommodate for a shorter growing season or potential late frosts.
