Many farmers choose to grow sweet potatoes because they are a versatile crop that grows well in various climates and is rich in nutrients. For the cultivation of sweet potato, it is necessary to have well-drained sandy loam soil that allows for unhindered root growth. It should be noted that the soil used must contain a lot of organic matter which helps the plant grow better and produce more yields. Most farmers put out sweet potato slips (young shoots grown from mature tubers) 12 inches apart along rows so as to provide enough space for the vines as they spread.
Sweet potatoes require a warm growing season ranging from 90-150 days with consistency in moisture. It’s important to water them regularly especially within three weeks after transplanting but this may lead to rotting if overdone. A reduction of watering during maturity leads to development of concentrated sweetness among tubers.
The crop also requires weed control to minimize competition for nutrients and moisture. Mulching can be employed in order to suppress weeds and enhance soil water retention. Yellowing of leaves indicates that the sweet potatoes are ready for harvesting. Harvested sweet potatoes can be cured in a warm, moist environment for about one week which improves their taste while still maintaining their quality hence ensuring that they remain profitable and viable crops to most farmers.
