Growing Sweet Potato, also Kumara

Ipomoea batatas : Convolvulaceae / the morning glory family

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

(Best months for growing Sweet Potato in USA - Zone 11a regions)

  • P = Plant crowns
  • 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
  • New shoots on Kumara
  • Well grown Kumara

Sweet Potatoes require a long warm growing season. Plant in free draining loose soil. Fertilise before planting but no more when the plants are growing as it will encourage vine growth. They will go for miles and you will get no tubers. If they do start spreading, lift the vines off the ground to prevent them rooting.

Mound up the soil about 20 cm (8 in) before planting. Let the plants die down, (leaves die or turn yellow) before harvesting the tubers. Dry them in the sun for a few days. then store in a cool dry place for up to five months.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Sweet Potato

Use mashed, boiled, roasted, baked or fried. Or use in soups, pies, casseroles, curries and salads.

Your comments and tips

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My first attempt of growing Kumara was in heavy duty cardboard box, with a rigid base to stop the runner escaping. 1.5 kg tuber was harvested from one slip, I was impressed. Second year was in an old bath in full sun, 5 slips, harvest revealed a lot of small tubers. 3 kg. This year, 2020, I will combine my efforts in cardboard boxes again and the another bath. Layers of cardboard in the bottom of bath with mixture of compost, vermicast, gritty sand, soil and pea straw to preserve the slips from being removed by Wekas and or Pukekos. Liqiud fertilizer will be added to the new beds before planting, Intend to harvest before May 2012.

- Brian

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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