Lexi Webster
Sweet potatoes are a hardy plant that can be grown in all areas of Australia. They are a semitropical plant that grows best in sandy loam soil and warm, frost-free conditions. In Western Australia, sweet potatoes can be planted at different times of the year depending on the location. For example, in Perth, they are planted from late September to late December and harvested from February/March to May/June. They are relatively pest and disease-free and can be grown from cuttings or a whole sweet potato.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soil | Well-drained sandy loam with a pH of 5.8 to 7.0 |
| Temperature | Grows best between 20°C and 30°C |
| Frost | Requires a minimum frost-free growing season of four to six months |
| Sunlight | Requires at least six hours of sunshine per day |
| Watering | Regular watering is recommended, but avoid soaking the soil |
| Fertilizer | Use organic fertilizer sparingly |
| Planting time | Plant in early spring after the danger of frost has passed |
| Harvest time | Ready to harvest in three to six months, when the leaves start to yellow |
| Rotation | Rotate with other crops to prevent the build-up of diseases |
| Pests and diseases | Relatively pest and disease-free |
| Storage | Store at ambient temperature for up to two months |
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What You'll Learn
Sweet potatoes grow best in sandy loam soil with good drainage
To ensure proper drainage, it is recommended to cultivate the soil to a depth of 20 to 30 cm, creating a loose and permeable texture. Deep ripping with a tined implement can further improve soil drainage and promote better root shape. Sandy soils can be planted on flat or ridged ground, while heavier soils prone to waterlogging should be planted on raised beds or ridges to enhance drainage.
The pH level of the soil is also important, with an ideal range of 5.8 to 7.0 measured in calcium chloride. Additionally, the soil conductivity should be less than 25 to 50 mS/m to support healthy root development.
Sweet potatoes prefer warm temperatures above 24°C and grow best between 20°C and 30°C. They require a minimum frost-free growing season of four to six months, with limited cool and cloudy weather. In colder regions, sweet potatoes can still be grown during the warmer months when temperatures are above 10°C.
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They need a warm climate and lots of sunshine
Sweet potatoes are semitropical plants that thrive in warm climates and plenty of sunshine. They grow best in temperatures between 20 and 30°C, and a minimum frost-free growing season of four to six months is required. In Western Australia, they can be grown in regions like Carnarvon, Broome, and Perth, with slight variations in planting and harvesting times.
When growing sweet potatoes, choose a sunny spot in your garden that receives at least six hours of sunshine daily. They grow best in sandy loam soil, which provides good drainage, and prefer temperatures above 24°C. The ideal soil composition is approximately 53% sand, 43% silt, and 7% clay. Ensure the soil is well-drained, as sweet potatoes do not tolerate waterlogging. Deep ripping with a tined implement can improve soil drainage.
To plant sweet potatoes, prepare the soil by breaking it up with a fork and enriching it with compost and organic matter. Bury soft tip cuttings 40-50 cm apart, 5-7 cm deep, with 100 cm between rows. Alternatively, place a sweet potato in a glass of water, using toothpicks for support, and position it in a warm and sunny spot. Once shoots reach 15 cm in length, cut them at the base and transplant them into the garden.
Sweet potatoes are sensitive to temperature, with plant growth restricted below 10°C and physical damage occurring at 1°C. Therefore, in colder regions, they are typically grown during the warmer months. In these areas, the tops will yellow in autumn, indicating the time to harvest the tubers, and replanting can be done in spring.
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Rotate crops to prevent diseases like scurf
Sweet potatoes are a hardy plant that is relatively pest and disease-free. However, to prevent the build-up of diseases like scurf, it is recommended that you rotate your sweet potatoes with other crops.
Crop rotation is a proven and cost-effective method of disease prevention. By rotating to non-host crops, you can prevent the build-up of large populations of pathogens. For example, the pathogen that causes clubroot disease on purple vetch does not affect oilseed radish, barley, or fava beans. Rotating purple vetch with any of these crops can help manage the disease.
When planning your crop rotation, it is important to understand the life cycle of the disease-causing organism (pathogen) and its host range. Some pathogens can survive in the soil for many years, even in the absence of their crop host. They can also be easily moved between fields on farm equipment. Therefore, it is important to clean cultivators and other equipment before working in a different part of the field. Rotations of at least five to seven years are often needed to prevent the pathogen population from building up and causing economic damage.
In addition to managing diseases, crop rotation can also help to return nutrients to the soil without synthetic inputs. Different plants have different nutritional needs, and by rotating crops, you can interrupt pest and disease cycles, improve soil health, and increase biodiversity on your farm.
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Prepare cuttings and use organic fertiliser sparingly
Sweet potatoes are hardy plants that are relatively pest and disease-free. They grow best in warmer regions, but will also grow in colder regions during the warmer months. Sweet potatoes grow best on well-drained sandy loam, although sandy soils also produce good crops if well fertilised and watered.
To prepare cuttings, choose a healthy-looking whole sweet potato and place the narrow end down into a glass of water. You can use toothpicks to suspend the potato in the water. Place the glass in a warm and well-lit spot, such as a window ledge. Once the shoots are about 15 cm long, cut them at the base and plant them in your garden. Each shoot will form a new plant and, in time, a tuber to harvest. You can also obtain cuttings from the growing tips of your existing plants.
When it comes to fertiliser, organic fertiliser is best. However, it is important to use it sparingly. Be conservative with the amount of fertiliser you use, as it is better to let the plant send its roots down and allow the vegetables to fill the bed. If you put fertiliser on top of the bed, it will encourage the plant to grow up. Avoid using too much nitrogen-rich fertiliser, as this will encourage more leaf growth and delay the formation of the tuber.
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Harvest when leaves yellow and die back
Sweet potatoes are a hardy plant that can be grown in all areas of Australia, although they grow best in warmer regions. They are semitropical plants that thrive in temperatures between 20 and 30°C, and a minimum frost-free growing season of four to six months is required. In colder regions, sweet potatoes can still be grown throughout the warmer months. In these cooler climates, the tops of the plants will yellow and die off in autumn, indicating that the tubers can be harvested.
When the leaves of your sweet potato plant start to yellow and die back, it's time to harvest your crop. Use a spade or fork to gently loosen the soil around the plant, taking care not to damage the skin of the potatoes. Cut back the foliage and tip the plant out into a wheelbarrow or onto a piece of tarp. Use a hand fork to carefully loosen the soil and free the tubers. Try not to damage the tubers as you dig around your plants. Shake off any excess dirt but do not wash the potatoes.
After harvesting, cure your sweet potatoes in a warm and well-ventilated area for about 10 days. This will enhance their sweetness and increase their shelf life. The skins of the potatoes will naturally thicken and heal over any small scratches to protect the tuber. Harvested sweet potatoes can be stored for one to two months under ambient temperatures. However, they will need special treatment for longer storage.
As well as the tubers, the leaves and shoots of sweet potatoes can be harvested and eaten as a tasty and healthy green vegetable. They can be eaten raw, sautéed, stir-fried, or lightly steamed.
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Frequently asked questions
Sweet potatoes can be grown all year round in Western Australia, especially in Perth, which has a suitable climate. In colder regions, they can be grown during the warmer months.
Sweet potatoes grow best in well-drained sandy loam with a pH of 5.8 to 7.0. The soil should be rich in organic matter and fertilised with organic fertiliser.
Sweet potatoes can be grown from cuttings or slips. Place a sweet potato in water or a pot of potting mix, and when shoots are 15 cm long, cut them at the base and plant them in the garden. Alternatively, bury soft-tip cuttings 5-7 cm deep directly into the prepared soil.
Sweet potatoes are usually ready to harvest 3-6 months after planting, when the leaves start to yellow and die back. Dig carefully to avoid damaging the tubers, and cure them in a warm, well-ventilated area for about a week before storing.
