Transplanting Sweet Potatoes?

[Michael and Lylah Ledner]

I'm devouring June's issue of Phoenix Home & Garden - and reviewing the Garden Checklist. Cathy Cromell (Master Gardner) says to "transplant sweet potatoes."

I'm totally dying...our family LOVES them...where in the world do I get sweet potatoes to transplant?

Thanks!

[Erin]

I picked up 3 sweet potatoes from the Downtown Phoenix Market and planted them once they started to sprout. They are now huge and taking over the garden. Not sure when they'll be ready though. We love them too!

[Michael and Lylah Ledner]

you got the plants? or just sweet potatoes? how long ago? and you just stuck the sp in the soil?

[Erin]

I just got the potatoes. It was in early April, I think, but I didn't get them in the ground until the first part of May. Lazy. Yep, just stuck them in the ground the some of the shoots sticking out.

[Peggy]

Did you recently buy sweet potatoes at the Phoenix Market? I know none of the stores are carrying the right now. I just ordered some slips online. Although those where had to locate. Can't wait to get them going either.

Peggy

[Michael and Lylah Ledner]

I buy organic sweet potatoes at traders....just made my kitchen window sill garden like green shoes says...we'll see how they turn out

[green shoes]

You can grow slips on SP's in a jar of water. When they are about 3" long, snap them off and plant them.

[Michael and Lylah Ledner]

OK...I can do that....LOVE that picture....thanks a boatload of sweet potatoes!

[green shoes]

Here are those slips today. They are blooming now.

[Michael and Lylah Ledner]

wow...thanks for the pictures...i've got my 3 setting in the water with the tooth pics sticking out....excited to see what happens....uh...about how long did you grow them in the water and then plant them?

[green shoes]

Boyoboyoboy...I don't know how long it took for the slips...maybe 4 weeks maybe 6. The gating item here is the window for planting which closes on July 15th according to Matt Suhr.

[Roxanne F]

Several months ago we planted sweet potatoes too. We bought some organic ones at Whole Foods and both grew slips and then when we had too many of those just planted the rooted potatoes in the ground. They had all pretty much grown but the biggest ones are the whole potatoes.

First year so not sure when to harvest I think when the vines die but not sure. I think I read somewhere in September.

[Rachel]

I have heard from a few people now to be sure and divide the sweet potato into sections of two eyes each. If you plant the whole potato in one piece you'll get tons of greenery but not many potatoes.