If you’ve grown sweet potatoes in your garden, knowing how are sweet potatoes harvested correctly makes all the difference. Getting it right means you’ll enjoy a bountiful, undamaged crop that stores well for months. This simple guide walks you through the entire process, from timing to storage.
Harvesting sweet potatoes isn’t just about pulling them from the ground. It’s a gentle process that requires a bit of patience and the right technique. The goal is to preserve those tender skins and avoid bruising the tasty roots. Let’s get started.
How Are Sweet Potatoes Harvested
This is the main event. Harvesting involves carefully digging up the mature roots at the perfect time and handling them with care. Rushing this step can lead to damaged potatoes that won’t store well. The following steps will ensure you do it properly.
When to Harvest Your Sweet Potatoes
Timing is the most critical factor for a successful harvest. Sweet potatoes need a long, warm growing season, typically 90 to 120 days frost-free.
Look for these key signs that your crop is ready:
- The Days Have Passed: Check your planting date and variety’s “days to maturity.” Most are ready around 100 days after planting slips.
- The Vines Yellow: The lush green vines will start to turn yellow and look a bit tired. This is a primary visual cue.
- The First Frost Threatens: Sweet potatoes are very sensitive to cold. You must harvest them before the first frost, as chill damage can ruin the crop.
- A Test Dig: If you’re unsure, carefully dig around the base of one plant. The potatoes should be a good, usable size (often 1.5 to 3 inches in diameter).
What You’ll Need for Harvesting
Gathering your tools beforehand makes the job smoother. You won’t need much, but having the right equipment prevents accidents.
- A digging fork or a spade (a garden fork is best to avoid slicing tubers)
- Gardening gloves
- A soft-bristled brush or cloth
- Shallow boxes or crates (not deep bags)
- Newspaper or cardboard
Step-by-Step Harvesting Instructions
Follow these steps carefully for the best results. Remember, sweet potato skins are fragile right after harvest.
Step 1: Prepare the Area
Start by cutting back the long vines. You can use garden shears or simply pull them aside. This clears your workspace and gives you clear access to the plant’s crown. Don’t worry about hurting the plant—the growing is done.
Step 2: Loosen the Soil
Begin digging about 12 to 18 inches away from the main stem. Insert your digging fork deep into the soil and gently lever it back to loosen the earth. Work your way around the plant in a circle. This step is crucial for avoiding stabbing a potato.
Step 3: Lift the Cluster
Once the soil is loose, use your hands to carefully lift the main crown of the plant. The cluster of sweet potatoes should begin to emerge from the soil. If you feel resistance, loosen the soil more with your hands—don’t yank!
Step 4: Unearth the Tubers
Gently remove each sweet potato from the soil with your hands. Brush off the excess dirt lightly. Avoid washing them with water at this stage, as moisture can encourage rot during curing.
Step 5: Handle with Care
Place the harvested potatoes gently into your shallow crates. Never drop or throw them. Their thin skins bruise easily, which creates entry points for decay. Treat them more like eggs than regular potatoes.
The Essential Post-Harvest Process: Curing
This step is non-negotiable if you want sweet, storable potatoes. Curing heals minor wounds and converts starches to sugars, enhancing their flavor.
- Sort: Separate any badly damaged or cut potatoes. These should be eaten first, as they won’t cure properly.
- Find a Warm, Humid Spot: Ideal conditions are 80-85°F (27-29°C) with 85-90% humidity for 10-14 days. A small room with a space heater and a humidifier works well. Some gardeners use a greenhouse or even a warm bathroom.
- Arrange for Airflow: Lay the potatoes in a single layer on newspaper or cardboard. Don’t let them touch eachother. Ensure good air circulation around each one.
- Wait Patiently: Leave them undisturbed for the full curing period. You’ll know it’s working when the skins become tougher and slightly leathery.
How to Store Your Harvest Long-Term
After curing, sweet potatoes need different conditions for long-term storage. Properly stored, they can last 6 months or more.
- Choose a Cool, Dark Place: A basement, root cellar, or cupboard away from heat sources is perfect. The ideal storage temperature is 55-60°F (13-16°C).
- Keep Them Dry: Ensure the storage area is well-ventilated and not damp. Never store them in a sealed plastic bag.
- Check Regularly: Every few weeks, look over your stash. Remove any potatoes showing signs of softness or decay to prevent it from spreading.
- Do Not Refrigerate: Temperatures below 50°F (10°C) can cause a hard core and off-flavors. The fridge is too cold for whole, uncooked sweet potatoes.
Common Harvesting Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced gardeners can make a few errors. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Harvesting Too Early: Tiny potatoes won’t have developed their full sweetness. Patience pays off.
- Using a Shovel Incorrectly: Stabbing straight down near the plant is a sure way to impale a potato. Always start digging from a distance.
- Skipping the Cure: Without curing, your potatoes won’t taste as sweet and will spoil quickly. It’s a vital step.
- Washing Before Storage: This introduces moisture and invites mold. Only brush off dry soil until you’re ready to cook them.
FAQ: Sweet Potato Harvesting Questions Answered
Can you harvest sweet potatoes too late?
Yes. If left in the ground too long, especially in cool, wet soil, they can crack or start to rot. The biggest risk is leaving them past the first frost, which will damage them.
How do you know when sweet potatoes are ready to dig up?
The main signs are yellowing vines and reaching the days-to-maturity for your variety. A gentle test dig at the edge of the hill will confirm their size.
What happens if you don’t cure sweet potatoes?
Uncured sweet potatoes will be less sweet, more starchy, and have a much shorter storage life. They are more prone to shrinking and decay.
Can you eat sweet potatoes right after harvest?
You can, but they won’t be at their best. Their flavor and texture improve dramatically after the curing process, which develops their signature sweetness.
Why are my sweet potatoes long and skinny?
This is often due to soil that is too hard or compacted. Sweet potatoes need loose, well-drained soil to expand properly. Adding compost can help for next year’s crop.
Harvesting your own sweet potatoes is incredibly rewarding. By following this guide—waiting for the right time, digging carefully, and curing patiently—you’ll be rewarded with a delicious, homegrown supply that lasts. There’s nothing quite like enjoying a sweet potato from your own garden in the middle of winter.