Avoid This Mistake When Harvesting Sweet Potatoes—Your Crop Depends on It!

Sweet potatoes are a wonderful addition to any homestead garden. Not only are they easy to grow, but they are also packed with nutrition. Many people don’t realize that sweet potatoes belong to the morning glory family and can be harvested with care for a delicious reward. Growing sweet potatoes can be a fun project for families, and with a little knowledge, anyone can achieve a great harvest.

When it’s time to harvest sweet potatoes, it is important to know how to pick them correctly. The first step is to cut back the vines. While some might use a lawnmower for this task, using hedge trimmers or a serrated knife offers more control and prevents damage to the sweet potatoes underneath. Before digging, look for indicators that the potatoes are ready. Yellowing leaves are a good sign, and sweet potatoes usually take around 90 to 120 days to mature, depending on the variety.

After the vines have been cut, careful digging is necessary to avoid damaging the fragile sweet potatoes. Using hands, gloves, or a digging fork, gently pry them from the ground. It’s essential to handle sweet potatoes with care, as their skins can easily be harmed. Once harvested, brush off any excess dirt but avoid washing them, as moisture can lead to rotting.

Curing sweet potatoes is a crucial step before storing them. Curing helps to enhance their sweetness. Sweet potatoes should be kept in a warm environment, around 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, with 80% humidity for the first five days after they are harvested. If there is no greenhouse available, simple alternatives like a sunny corner of the house or a plastic container can create a similar environment. Arranging the sweet potatoes in a single layer will help prevent condensation from causing rot.

Once the curing process is complete, it is time to store the sweet potatoes. A cool, dark place is ideal, and wrapping them in newspaper or keeping them in ventilated boxes can prolong their freshness. If stored correctly, sweet potatoes can last up to a year! Remember, even if the conditions aren’t perfect, the sweet potatoes will still develop their sugars over time.

Embracing the self-reliant lifestyle of homesteading means learning the ins and outs of growing and storing food like sweet potatoes. With careful harvesting and proper curing, anyone can enjoy the delicious, nutritious benefits of these versatile tubers. With a little patience and practice, sweet potatoes can become a beloved staple in any home.