Sweet Potatoes: Harvesting & Curing Complete Guide

Sweet potatoes are a great addition to any cuisine because they are delicious and packed with nutrients. I enjoy growing them as a gardener since they’re easy to work with, and it can be stored for a long time and can be used in lots of recipes.

My interest in growing sweet potatoes has existed for a long time, and I have once tried to grow them, between the ages of 12 and so. The experience has been especially enjoyable! I’ve learned a lot along my journey, including how to avoid problems like damaged or rotting potatoes, when is the best time to harvest, and how to figure out when the potatoes are ready. I’ve also received advice on how to store them properly to improve their lifespan. Growing sweet potatoes has been an amazing journey, and there’s always something new to discover!

This is an expert, successful gardener’s guide. You get your every query answered, and I hope you harvest your crop this year.

Signs that sweet potatoes are ready for harvest

I compared my expertise with gardening advice and tips from several online platforms or sites. If you want to read more you can read from here. Some of the advice that I learned First, you have to loosen the soil and then check the temperature, and so on. At the time, I realized there were still many gaps that needed to be filled. Based on my personal experience, I will give a few significant clues that can help you decide when the crop is ready to harvest. Although this depends on the variety you’ve planted, sweet potatoes are usually ready to harvest in 85 to 120 days.

Some Symptoms that show your Sweet Potatoes are ready 

Many gardeners check their crops in different ways to see if they’re ready for harvest. Some common signs can help you determine if your sweet potatoes are prepared.

Foliage Changes: The first sign that the sweet potatoes are grown is when the vines begin to turn yellow and shrink back. Now is the best time to make sure you’re ready.

Skin Colore: Based on the variety, grown sweet potatoes will have a dark or deep skin color. For example, some could be orange or brownish, and others might be coppery-brown in color.

Size: When yams reach growth, they will have hit their normal size and won’t grow any larger. Usually, the ideal size is between 1.5 and 2.25 creeps in height and 3 to 7 crawls in diameter, with an average weight of 1 pound.

Taste: Sweet potatoes will taste sugary-sweet and have a stronger flavor when they are fully ripe and have grown on the vine.

I have to mention some key points here. Many people are nervous about the time, and that is quite normal. Especially if you’ve had previous experiences to support your claims, like when you gathered too early, this is especially evident.

Some Personal Tips

In my case, I usually wait for the first light frost to fall to kill the leaves. That’s when I realized that this is the perfect time to find them. However, it’s a balance since waiting by for too long, especially if the freeze is heavy, could damage the roots.

I’ve also come to realize the importance of curing yams. To help raise their sugars and further enhance storing, I allowed them to rest in a warm, covered area for around two weeks after harvesting. You will lose that extra sweetness if you rush this point.

I’ve been there, so it’s natural to be nervous about choosing the right time to do so. They were not exactly ready, and I’ve had years when I harvested too early. However, you will find which methods are best for you and your evolving situation if you are patient and practice. I hope your harvesting goes well!

About Sweet Potatoes Leaves

Today, I’ll be talking about sweet potato leaves and sharing my expertise with you on how valuable these leaves are, what they are like, and what their benefits are. Along with that, I’ll also share some important points related to them.

Planting Sweet Potatoes for Their Leaves Do All Varieties Have Edible Leaves?

If you’re interested in growing your sweet potato leaves, you’ll be happy to know that most yam varieties, even the common ones found in commercial settings, include edible/tasty leaves. Their leaves are consistently safe to consume and nutrient-dense, no matter if they are the typical yams/sweet potatoes or more unique varieties. like Japanese purple sweet potatoes/yams, and their leaves have rich nutrients and yes it used in many different cuisines. Purple sweet potatoes are delicious when steamed and dehydrated. Goguma malaenggi is a popular snack in Korea. you will be happy to know that purple sweet potatoes also grow a lot in New Zealand and so many people like this type of sweet potatoes and their leaves.

The leaves of Ipomoea batatas, the common potato in the United States, are typically eaten and have numerous health benefits. In any case, things can get a little more complicated if you’re working with various kinds of sweet potatoes or tropical varieties. Ipomoea aquatic, for example, is well-known in Southeast Asia for its edible branches, yet it is illegal to grow it in the United States since it is considered unwanted. Therefore, you would have to stick to varieties that are allowed in your area.

Because of its noisy nature, Ipomoea aquatica from Southeast Asia is illegal to import into the United States, so proceed with care if you do. Furthermore, taro leaves require a special setup, so don’t confuse them with yam leaves.

Select normal or common sweet potato/yam varieties from gardening stores or online for home growing; their leaves will be safe to use in cooking. Their versatility is amazing; they work well in soups, sautés, and steamed meals, like those seen in Southeast Asian and Filipino cuisine.
If you are aware of the variety, try growing sweet potatoes that you have purchased close to home, as they often grow leaves. Just make sure your plants are healthy to keep pests away. Happy growing!

Some Health Benefits

Rich in antioxidants: compounds like polyphenols, which are found in sweet potato leaves, help combat radical damage, lessen oxidative stress, and may even reduce the risk of getting chronic diseases.

Rich Source of Vitamins: The vitamins A, C, and K are rich in these leaves. Vitamin C increases immunity and supports the growth of collagen, while vitamin A improves skin and eye health. Vitamin K is crucial for healthy bones and blood clotting.

Supports Heart Health: sweet potato leaves, which are high in potassium and fiber, can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, which will improve heart health. The fiber additionally supports a healthy circulatory system by reducing LDL cholesterol.

Uses of Sweet Potatoes Leaves

I would really like to share with you some fantastic uses for yam/sweet potato leaves that I am aware of. one day I took some leaves from my garden and sprinkled them over some rice that was cooking. The leaves became quite delicious as the rice cooked.

You can also use yams leftovers to make chutney, and I promise it will taste delicious! If you’re Asian you can enjoy it at a lower cost with prawns or fish. likewise, just like me, anyone can put sweet potato leaves into their meals in lots of ways.

Tools and equipment needed for efficient harvesting

I found that you may harvest sweet potatoes in natural soil easily! Just wear your gloves to protect your fingertips. Start by carefully scraping around the plant’s bottom to find the roots. This method works well in small gardens.

if you want to use some tools then here are a few suggestions:

1. Spading Fork

2.  Shovel

I would say that a spading fork is the best tool for managing everything. When you’re trying to get out those sweet potatoes, their pointed blades make it easy to separate the soil and release tight knots.

If you prefer, you can use another digging tool, such as a shovel, which can cut longer. Although it is less sharp than an ordinary digging tool, this provides you with a lot of digging strength and is unlikely to damage the potatoes.

The ideal equipment for you basically depends on your soil type and what you’re comfortable with. Take the time to figure out what pieces would look the best in your garden!

Weather Conditions 

Let’s just say I didn’t have the best gardening experience harvesting sweet potatoes a few years ago. I could have done a better job, but I was happy to see the results of my efforts (or roots?).

It was a hot day on the day I decided to harvest. I stupidly left my sweet potatoes out in the open for a bit after digging them up, and by the time I noticed the mistake, they were all burnt and started to die. Aww sad!

I recently tried harvesting during a time of heavy rainfall. It was almost impossible to remove the sweet potatoes without causing damage because the area looked a pool of mud. I ended up with some roots that were damaged and crushed.

Then I once underestimated the strength of compacted, dry soil. The experience was like digging through concrete! I felt more irritated than sweet potatoes, and my back burned.

Discouraged but determined, I decided to research and consult my fellow gardening friends, who shared their wise tips. My friend Mike, a seasoned gardener, gave me some advice for a better experience, so the following things I learned:

• Aim for a cloudy day, or be prepared to move your harvest to shade to avoid sunburn.

• Wait for the soil to dry out after heavy rain to avoid a muddy mess.
• The ideal soil consistency is “loamy”—loose,, airy, and damp.
• Harvest before the first frost and choose drier soil if you plan on storing your sweet potatoes for a long time.

How do you collect sweet potatoes?

Harvesting sweet potatoes requires patience and a gentle hand. Here’s a concise guide to ensure a successful harvest, incorporating valuable insights from my experience and addressing common misconceptions about sweet potato growth.

Dispelling a Myth

Many believe sweet potatoes only cluster around the central stem (crown). But hold on to your gardening hat! Sweet potato magic goes beyond that. Vines can root at various nodes along their length. If these roots reach the soil, they’ll surprise you with additional “satellite clusters” of sweet potatoes scattered like hidden gems along the vines.

Method 1: By using Fork   

So, in this method, firstly, Identify the thick central stem (crown) where the vines meet the ground. This is where you’ll find the primary cluster of sweet potatoes. Then, Look for any stakes or markers you may have placed during planting to pinpoint the crown easily. 

For larger plots, a garden fork becomes your trusty companion. Using the Fork, gently loosen the soil around the crown in a wider circle, starting about a foot away. Imagine you’re creating a moat around a precious castle! Work your way inwards gradually to avoid accidentally spearing sweet potatoes with your tool (Clear, concise instructions).

Once you see the first hint of a sweet potato, stop digging and carefully brush away the soil with your hands to expose the entire cluster. Gently tug on the vine to loosen it from the ground.

Pro Tip: Be mindful of any thin roots that might drop down from the vines. These won’t be sweet potatoes, but you don’t want to disturb them unnecessarily.

Method 2: By Hand

If you have adventurous spirits and loose soil, then this is a great opportunity for you. Just Forget the tools—your hands are the best treasure hunters here! Carefully dig around the base of the plant, feeling for the sweet potatoes nestled beneath. It’s a tactile experience, a chance to reconnect with the earth and discover your harvest one by one.

Pro Tip: Wear gloves during this method. This can protect both your hands and the delicate tubers.

Method 3: Dumping Containers

The method is very simple: carefully overturn the container onto a soft surface and sift through the soil. The potatoes will be revealed like buried gems, ready to be brushed clean and enjoyed. This container harvest method not only minimizes the risk of damaging your sweet potatoes but also feels more like a playful exploration than a chore.

Tips for All Methods

• Sweet potatoes are delicate, so avoid bruising or scraping them during harvest.
• Avoid washing or dropping the sweet potatoes, affecting their storage life.
• Regardless of the method, ensure you loosen the soil around the potatoes before attempting to remove them. This minimizes the risk of damaging them.
• In colder climates, prioritize harvesting your sweet potatoes before the first frost. Frost damages the leaves and can lead to root rot.

How to Cure?

After picking sweet potatoes, let us know if you think the process is completed. Then, sorry, their journey isn’t quite finished yet (Hehehe). Now, to enhance their full flavor potential and long-term storage, we give this a special treatment called curing. If I am right, everyone must learn why curing is important. So, I give you some reasons why curing is important.

Firstly, when you harvest sweet potatoes, nicks and cuts can occur, but the curing process heals the wounds and forms a corky layer of tissue over them. This natural barrier prevents the loss of moisture and protects against infection, ensuring longer storage life.

Secondly, during the Curing process, starches within the sweet potato convert into sugars. This transformation results in a sweeter, more flavourful vegetable.

So, I think you know the importance of curing. Let’s discuss this further. Now, a question arose: How did we do this? Create an environment for curing sweet potatoes.

Creating the Ideal Curing Environment

Basically, for the curing process, you need a warm, humid paradise space, and the temperature range is between 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit and a staggering 90% humidity for four to six days. 

I know most homes might not resemble an ideal environment for this, but I can share with you some to achieve these conditions:

• My first method is Simply placing your sweet potatoes in plastic bags and positioning them in direct sunlight. The sun’s warmth will raise the temperature, while the trapped moisture inside the bags creates a mini greenhouse effect. To further amplify the impact, Cut several holes in the bags for ventilation.
• Another way is that If you have a warm upstairs bedroom, use it to your advantage! Place the sweet potatoes on trays and utilize seedling heat mats underneath them. These act like tiny saunas, providing the necessary warmth for curing.

Pro Tip: Whatever method you choose, add a bowl of water near the sweet potatoes to help maintain humidity levels.

Curing Steps:

Now, we will talk about the steps used in the curing process.

1. When you unearth your sweet potatoes, allow the soil on the surface to dry naturally. For cleaning, brush or shake off any excess dirt, but avoid washing the roots because washing can remove the natural protective layer and hinder the healing process.
2. Once you clean, the next step is to transfer these to an ideal environment. You can choose your preferred method from the abovementioned options and ensure the temperature and humidity levels are within the recommended range.
3. Let your sweet potatoes rest comfortably in their warm, humid environment for four to six days.
4. After curing, your sweet potatoes are ready for long-term storage. Even though the humidity is high during curing, condensation or free water on the surface of the potatoes should not be present, as this can lead to rot.

Best practices for storing sweet potatoes

At the end we discuss how to store sweet potatoes after curing. In my case, I store them in my storeroom, and I adjust the temperature in our storeroom to around 60°F, which becomes the perfect resting place for my potatoes. I also want to share with you that anything colder than 55°F can be a shock to their system, so keeping them out of the fridge is crucial.

 According to a Wikipedia report, the ideal temperature is no warmer than 16 °C (61 °F) and no cooler than 12 °C (54 °F) or 13 °C (55 °F), with an RH of 85–90%.

When I was storing in the room, my Grandma told me that Jack always kept the storeroom well-ventilated because high humidity was great for keeping the potatoes from drying out. Still, moisture droplets forming on them can lead to rot. So, proper air circulation is key!

And also, trust me, forget fancy containers – my Grandma trusted good old-fashioned slatted wooden baskets. These beauties allow air to circulate freely, keeping the sweet potatoes happy and healthy. Overcrowding them is a no-no, so we ensure enough space for each potato to breathe.

Following all technique guidelines, our cured sweet potatoes can last six months, sometimes even longer! To make sure they stay happy, I check on them regularly, discarding any that show signs of spoilage or dehydration.

Pro Tip: My Grandma used to talk about burying cured sweet potatoes in the sand for super long-term storage may be too adventurous for me (and our climate!). If you have a massive harvest, though, cold storage facilities with controlled temperature and humidity could be an option.

How to handle damaged or improperly cured sweet potatoes.

First, identify the minor cuts and bruises, or perhaps deeper cuts and soft spots affecting a small portion of the potato, and if minor damages, trim away the affected area with a sharp knife. 

If it has moderate damage, like deeper cuts or soft spots impacting a small portion, don’t despair! These sweet potatoes are still salvageable. Consider incorporating them into various dishes like soups, stews, or mashed potatoes, where blemishes are less noticeable. 

I hope this article is helpful for you because I have provided all the information in it (hehe). If anything else I missed, please inform me in the comment section. See you in another article.