What To Know
- This comprehensive guide will provide you with the knowledge to make an informed decision and cultivate the best sweet potatoes for your northern garden.
- Cure sweet potatoes for 2-3 weeks in a warm, dry location before storing them in a cool, dark place.
- With careful variety selection, proper planting techniques, and attentive care, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of sweet and nutritious sweet potatoes, even in cooler climates.
Growing sweet potatoes in northern gardens can be a rewarding experience, but selecting the right variety is crucial for success. With shorter growing seasons and cooler temperatures, it’s essential to choose cultivars that thrive in these conditions. This comprehensive guide will provide you with the knowledge to make an informed decision and cultivate the best sweet potatoes for your northern garden.
Understanding Sweet Potato Varieties
Sweet potatoes are classified into two main types:
- Bush Varieties: Compact plants with a bushy growth habit, suitable for smaller gardens.
- Vine Varieties: Long, trailing vines that require more space and support, producing higher yields.
Selecting the Best Sweet Potatoes for Northern Gardens
When selecting sweet potato varieties for northern gardens, consider the following factors:
- Maturity: Choose early-maturing varieties that reach maturity within 90-110 days, allowing ample time for growth before the first frost.
- Cold Tolerance: Opt for varieties with good cold tolerance, such as Beauregard or Covington, to withstand cooler temperatures.
- Disease Resistance: Select varieties resistant to common diseases like Fusarium wilt and Sweet Potato Scurf.
- Soil Conditions: Sweet potatoes prefer well-drained, loamy soil with a pH of 6.0-6.5.
Top Sweet Potato Varieties for Northern Gardens
Based on the above criteria, the following are some of the best sweet potato varieties for northern gardens:
1. Beauregard
- Early-maturing (90-100 days)
- Good cold tolerance
- High yields
- Orange flesh with a sweet, moist texture
2. Covington
- Early-maturing (90-100 days)
- Excellent cold tolerance
- Disease resistant
- Yellow flesh with a slightly nutty flavor
3. Jewel
- Early-maturing (90-100 days)
- Good cold tolerance
- Disease resistant
- Deep orange flesh with a sweet, moist texture
4. Hannah
- Early-maturing (90-100 days)
- Moderate cold tolerance
- Good disease resistance
- Yellow flesh with a slightly sweet flavor
5. Stokes Purple
- Mid-season maturity (100-110 days)
- Good cold tolerance
- Disease resistant
- Purple flesh with a sweet, moist texture
Planting and Growing Sweet Potatoes in Northern Gardens
- Soil Preparation: Prepare the soil by tilling and amending it with compost or manure to improve drainage and fertility.
- Planting: Plant slips (young sweet potato plants) 6-8 weeks after the last frost, spacing them 12-18 inches apart.
- Watering: Water regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer.
- Hilling: Gradually hill up soil around the base of the plants as they grow to promote root development.
- Harvesting: Harvest sweet potatoes when the leaves begin to turn yellow and the skins are firm.
Tips for Successful Sweet Potato Cultivation in Northern Gardens
- Use black plastic mulch: This helps warm the soil and suppress weeds.
- Provide support for vines: Train vines on trellises or stakes to prevent root damage.
- Protect from frost: Cover plants with row covers or straw during cold snaps.
- Store properly: Cure sweet potatoes for 2-3 weeks in a warm, dry location before storing them in a cool, dark place.
Takeaways: Cultivating Sweet Potato Success in Northern Gardens
By following the guidelines outlined in this comprehensive guide, you can cultivate the best sweet potatoes for your northern garden. With careful variety selection, proper planting techniques, and attentive care, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of sweet and nutritious sweet potatoes, even in cooler climates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I grow sweet potatoes from store-bought potatoes?
A: No, store-bought sweet potatoes are not suitable for planting as they have been treated with sprout inhibitors.
Q2: How long do sweet potatoes take to mature?
A: Depending on the variety, sweet potatoes typically mature within 90-120 days from planting.
Q3: How can I tell when sweet potatoes are ready to harvest?
A: Sweet potatoes are ready to harvest when the leaves begin to turn yellow and the skins are firm.
