Vertical Sweet Potato Gardening: A Space-Saving Solution
Have you ever thought about growing sweet potatoes vertically? It’s a great way to save space in your garden, especially if you have limited area. Plus, it can be a fun and rewarding project.
Why Grow Sweet Potatoes Vertically?
There are several benefits to growing sweet potatoes vertically:
- Saves space: Sweet potato vines can grow up to 20 feet long, so growing them vertically can save you a lot of ground space.
- Improves air circulation: Growing sweet potatoes vertically allows for better air circulation around the plants, which can help to prevent diseases.
- Makes harvesting easier: Harvesting sweet potatoes from a vertical trellis is much easier than digging them up from the ground.
How to Plant a Vertical Sweet Potato Garden
Step 1: Purchase or Start Sweet Potato Slips
Sweet potatoes are not grown from seeds, but from slips. Slips are young plants that have sprouted from the root tuber. You can start your own slips from grocery-store sweet potatoes or purchase specific varieties of sweet potato slips from gardening centers or online catalogs.
Step 2: Choose a Large Planter or Container
Sweet potato vines are not vigorous climbers, so they prefer to crawl along the ground. As they crawl, the vines set down roots along the length of the stem. Where these vines root in the ground, you’ll find sweet potato tubers in the fall.
You can use any pot or planter for vertical sweet potato gardening, but a large container or planter will give the vines more room to grow. If you’re using a container, make sure it has drainage holes in the bottom.
Step 3: Choose the Proper Soil Mixture
Sweet potatoes prefer a well-draining, loamy or sandy soil. You can amend your existing soil with compost to improve drainage and add nutrients.
Step 4: Plant the Slips
After the danger of frost has passed, bury the stems of the slips in the planters with the leaves sticking above the soil line. Multiple slips can be grown in a large container by spacing the plants 12 inches apart. Water thoroughly and keep the soil evenly moist during the growing season.
How to Grow a Trellised Sweet Potato Vine
Step 1: Choose a Trellis
A trellis is a structure that supports climbing plants. There are many different types of trellises available, so you can choose one that fits your needs and the size of your garden.
For vertical sweet potato gardening, you will need a trellis that is strong enough to support the weight of the vines. The trellis should also have ample room for the vines to grow through.
Step 2: Plant the Slips
Plant the sweet potato slips 8 to 12 inches from the base of the trellis. As the sweet potato plants grow, gently weave the stems back and forth through the horizontal supports of the trellis.
Step 3: Train the Vines
As the vines grow, continue to train them up the trellis. You can use twine or ties to help support the vines and keep them from falling off the trellis.
Step 4: Harvest the Sweet Potatoes
When the vines begin to die back in the fall, it’s time to harvest your sweet potatoes! Simply dig around the base of the plants and gently pull the tubers out of the ground.
Tips for Growing Sweet Potatoes Vertically
- Use a strong trellis: The trellis should be able to support the weight of the vines and the sweet potatoes.
- Water regularly: Sweet potato vines need regular watering, especially during hot, dry weather.
- Fertilize regularly: Fertilize the sweet potato plants every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
- Control pests and diseases: Sweet potato plants can be susceptible to pests and diseases, so it’s important to monitor them regularly and take steps to control any problems.
Conclusion
Growing sweet potatoes vertically is a great way to save space in your garden and enjoy a delicious harvest. By following the tips in this article, you can grow healthy, productive sweet potato plants that will provide you with a bountiful crop of sweet potatoes.
