Growing root vegetables like sweet potatoes can be challenging in rocky or poor garden soil, where pests like wireworms and voles can quickly damage crops. However, cultivating sweet potatoes in containers offers a solution, conserving garden space, warding off pests, and yielding a plentiful harvest even with less-than-ideal soil conditions. Follow these straightforward steps to successfully plant, grow, and harvest sweet potatoes in your container garden.
Choosing Containers
Various container materials such as plastic, terra-cotta, ceramic, and stone are suitable for growing sweet potatoes. Ensure your containers are made from food-safe materials and feature ample drainage holes to prevent waterlogged soil. Fabric grow bags are particularly effective, and specialized potato growing bags with base openings for easy root inspection are ideal. Opt for containers that are at least 20 inches wide and 15 inches deep for optimal root development. A 10-gallon container is sufficient for a single sweet potato plant, while larger 20-gallon containers can accommodate up to three plants. For budget-friendly options, consider using large plastic buckets with drilled drainage holes or repurposed bird feed bags.
Best Sweet Potato Varieties for Containers
Sweet potato plants tend to sprawl, making bush-type or vineless varieties preferable for container growing. Varieties like ‘Vardaman’ and ‘Porto Rico’ are compact and well-suited for pots, helping to manage plant growth in confined spaces.
When to Plant Sweet Potatoes in Containers
Sweet potatoes thrive in warm weather and are sensitive to cold. In regions with warm climates, plant sweet potatoes outdoors three to four weeks after the last frost date, once nighttime temperatures consistently exceed 55°F. For shorter growing seasons, start sweet potatoes indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date to ensure optimal growth and harvest.
How to Plant Sweet Potatoes in Containers
Before planting, acquire sweet potato slips, which are the leafy shoots that sprout from sweet potatoes and develop into new plants. Purchase slips from garden centers or grow your own by placing sweet potatoes in water until roots emerge. Plant store-bought slips promptly to avoid wilting.
Starting Sweet Potatoes Indoors
If starting sweet potatoes indoors:
- Prepare Containers: Fill small pots with high-quality seed-starting mix or potting soil.
- Planting Slips: Create holes in the soil with your finger or a pencil and plant sweet potato slips deep enough to cover the roots while supporting the stems.
- Light and Water: Place containers under grow lights and water regularly until slips are hardened off and ready for outdoor transplantation.
By following these steps, you can successfully grow sweet potatoes in containers, ensuring a bountiful harvest while effectively managing space and pests in your garden.
