7. Harvesting Too Early or Too Late
Timing is key when it comes to harvesting sweet potatoes. Harvesting too early can result in small, underdeveloped tubers, while harvesting too late can expose the tubers to cold temperatures, reducing their storage life.
What to avoid:
- Harvesting before the tubers have had a chance to fully mature.
- Leaving the tubers in the ground after the first frost, which can damage them.
Best practice:
- Wait until the leaves start to yellow and die back, usually about 90 to 120 days after planting, before harvesting.
- Harvest on a dry, sunny day and handle the tubers carefully to avoid bruising.
Conclusion
Growing sweet potatoes can be a rewarding experience, but avoiding these common mistakes is crucial to achieving a bountiful and healthy harvest. By planting at the right time, using quality slips, spacing correctly, managing water and soil conditions, controlling pests, and timing your harvest properly, you can enjoy a successful crop of delicious sweet potatoes. With a little care and attention, your sweet potato plants will thrive and produce tubers that you can enjoy throughout the year.
