Growing sweet potatoes can be a truly satisfying endeavor—there’s nothing quite like digging up a basket of your own homegrown tubers. But a few missteps along the way can quickly derail your harvest. If you want a healthy, productive crop, be sure to steer clear of these seven common mistakes:
1. Overwatering Your Crop
Sweet potatoes don’t like soggy feet. While they do need moisture, overwatering is one of the quickest ways to invite root rot. These plants thrive in well-draining soil, so make sure excess water doesn’t stick around. Think moist, not muddy.
2. Poor Soil Prep
Sweet potatoes are happiest in loose, loamy soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.5. Skip the heavy, compacted, or rocky dirt—it can lead to weirdly shaped tubers. Mix in plenty of compost or organic matter to help with drainage and keep your soil soft and fluffy.
3. Planting Too Late
Timing is everything. Sweet potatoes need a long, warm growing season to produce well. If you wait too long to plant—especially in cooler climates—you might end up with stunted vines and underwhelming yields. Try early-maturing varieties like Beauregard or Georgia Jet if your summers are on the shorter side, and aim to plant about 3–4 weeks after your last frost.
4. Not Giving Them Enough Sun
These are tropical plants through and through—they love heat and sunshine. Choose a spot in your garden that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of full sun daily. The more rays they soak up, the better they’ll grow.
5. Using the Wrong Fertilizer
It’s tempting to give your plants a boost with fertilizer, but go easy on the nitrogen. High-nitrogen blends will pump out lush vines but leave your sweet potatoes underdeveloped underground. Instead, use compost or a fertilizer that’s lower in nitrogen and higher in phosphorus and potassium to support healthy root growth.
6. Letting Weeds Take Over
Weeds aren’t just unsightly—they steal vital nutrients, water, and light from your crops. Plus, they can invite pests and diseases. Stay on top of weeding, especially early on, so your sweet potato plants don’t have to fight for survival.
7. Rough Handling of Slips
When it’s time to plant, be gentle with your slips (the rooted shoots you grow from mature sweet potatoes). They’re delicate and can bruise easily. Plant each one about 4–5 inches deep and 3 inches wide, spacing them 10–12 inches apart. Make sure the lower half is buried and the leaves are sticking out above the soil.
Avoiding these pitfalls can make a big difference in how your sweet potatoes turn out. But don’t worry if you make a few mistakes—gardening is all about trial, error, and learning. Each season gives you a fresh chance to get better and enjoy the sweet rewards of your hard work.
