Sweet Potatoes

[Veggiesrus]

Hi
Is it possible to grow sweet pototoes in the East Midlands using 14 inch raised beds?
If yes,
* When is the best time to plant?
* Is planting made into a hole or trench, and how
deep?
* How long does it take to grow and harvest?
* What are the proven varities for the UK?
* Where is the best place to buy the seeds?
* How far apart should they be planted?
Thank you.

[Guest]

Hi and welcome to the vine.

Here is a thread I prepared earlier https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...elp_82927.html

[JMCKG]

Hi
Is it possible to grow sweet pototoes in the East Midlands using 14 inch raised beds?
If yes,
* When is the best time to plant?
* Is planting made into a hole or trench, and how
deep?
* How long does it take to grow and harvest?
* What are the proven varities for the UK?
* Where is the best place to buy the seeds?
* How far apart should they be planted?
Thank you.

https://www.gardenfocused.co.uk/vege...eet-potato.php

[Muddy_Boots]

Hi there, grew these last year with limited success, another guy who is a bit of an expert grower planted them on his plot under thick black plastic through cuts in the plastic mainly to keep them with plenty of moisture in the soil. I watched him dig them up at the end and they came out huge and with multiple tubers on each plant. My advice is to do it that way as its definitely the way to go, you have to buy the slips to plant and harvest them in October. Sweet potatoes need alot of moisture and thrive in hot summers, the foliage does not die down in Autumn like ordinary Potatoe plants do.

[annie8]

I tried growing sweet potatoes from slips last year but was a bit if a disaster. 4 of the 5 died before I could plant them. The other grew ok but when I dug it up the potatoes were tiny - more like thick worms. Even with such a hot summer I reckon i am too far north.

[Gordon the gardener]

Im growing them for the first time this year but I’m buying plants not slips from Dobies, 18 plants, 6 each of three varieties cost about £25 with delivery in May, I’m splitting them with a friend. I’ll be growing them on a mound through weed membrane. I’ll let you know how I got on when they come up. PS don’t forget you can eat the foliage as well as the tubers.

[mrmauy]

Really, I didn't know that. Any idea what the foliage tastes like? My young 'uns love sweet potatoes but I was reluctant to try them as they sound a bit hit and miss.

[bikermike]

I grew bought slips in 16 and 17 - got some small roots in 16 and b*gger all in 17.
I rooted some sweet potatoes from Waitrose in 18, and grew some out side and some in the greenhouse, and got...

b*gger all...

I have NZ Yam coming out my ears but have had no luck with sweet pots. That's not to say don't try it, but don't promise them out before you pick them...

[gardening_gal]

I tried growing sweet potatoes from slips last year but was a bit if a disaster. 4 of the 5 died before I could plant them. The other grew ok but when I dug it up the potatoes were tiny - more like thick worms. Even with such a hot summer I reckon i am too far north.

https://www.sweetpotato-slips.co.uk/

This company is in the Highlands.......It is widely considered that sweetpotato cannot be grown in the UK, with this in mind we decided to develop our nursery in the Scottish highlands to prove what could be achieved. If sweetpotato can be grown here they will grow in the rest of the UK.

I'm up this neck of the woods too so I think I might try them.