Growing Sweet Potato, also Kumara

Ipomoea batatas : Convolvulaceae / the morning glory family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec

Not recommended for growing in USA - Zone 5a regions

  • Plant shoots or cuttings (Slips). Best planted at soil temperatures between 63°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 16 - 24 inches apart
  • Harvest in 15-17 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Best in Separate bed

Your comments and tips

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04 Mar 18, Sue Ussher (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
I live in Fairlie South Canterbury and want to know if I could grow Kumara here and what month should I be planting them
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25 Feb 18, Chloe (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I have two furiously shooting kumara that have been growing in the pantry (!) Whilst I was overseas. I'm located in a very sunny spot in Auckland, is there any point in attempting to grow them now? (End Feb)
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27 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Give it a go.
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08 Mar 18, Mary (Australia - temperate climate)
Pop it in the ground, that way you will have slips for next Spring. However, if you get cold winters over there, pop it in a pot, so you can move it to the garage or shed during the cold days and nights.
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24 Feb 18, Val Clark (Australia - temperate climate)
When is the best time to plant out the new growth from a tubar. I have a sweet potato that has sprung heaps of shoots. I'd like to put them into pots. Will they grow over winter in I keep them warm or am I wasting my time?
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08 Mar 18, Mary (Australia - temperate climate)
I am in Adelaide -Temperate, and I leave mine in the ground over winter.
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26 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Put them in the ground if you have a garden. Cover with some shade until they start to establish themselves. Sweet spuds are grown all year round in Bundaberg - 30-35 degrees in summer.
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02 Feb 18, Geoff (Australia - tropical climate)
Does growing sweet potato deplete the soil of any particular mineral. I have grown a good crop of the sweet potato & intend to plant some sweet corn on the next full moon. Is there a particular fertiliser that’s advisable to add, prior to or as planting? I understand that all soils are different, but assuming all things are equal, is there something to add?
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05 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A bit of fert in the soil now and when the plants are about 12-15
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07 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
When the plants are about 12-15
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Showing 131 - 140 of 309 comments
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I live in the Redlands on the sourthern outskirts of Brisbane. I am trying to grow sweet potatoes for the first time. I have grown my own slips and planted them out and the vines are growing nicely. What I would like to know is where do the tubers grow from. Is it from the base of the slip or from the vines. Also I only have one vine growing from each plant. Do I need more than one vine and if so how do I encourage the extra vines.

- bernie

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