How to Grow Sweet Potato in Containers or Pots

In this video, I show you how to grow sweet potato in containers or pots. Growing sweet potato in containers is particularly useful for small spaces such as a balcony garden but can also allow for the plant to be moved to warmer locations in cooler climates.
Support me on Patreon: / selfsufficientme
Using the links below also helps support my channel:
Help support the Channel and buy a T-shirt/Merchandise from our Spreadshirt shop: goo.gl/ygrXwU or Teespring (below the video).
Go here to get Birdies Raised Garden bed in the USA: shop.epicgardening.com/ and use SSME2020 for a 5% discount.
Check out www.gardentoolsnow.com/ for tools I recommend to use.
Shop on Amazon for plants or garden equip: bit.ly/2yRFNGQ
Shop for plants or garden equip on eBay Australia: bit.ly/2BPCykb
Blog: www.selfsufficientme.com/ (use the search bar on my website to find info on certain subjects or gardening ideas)
Forum: www.selfsufficientculture.com
Facebook: / selfsufficie. .
Twitter: / sufficientme
Subscribe to my channel: goo.gl/cpbojR
Self Sufficient Me is based on our small 3-acre property/homestead in SE Queensland Australia about 45kms north of Brisbane - the climate is subtropical (similar to Florida). I started Self Sufficient Me in 2011 as a blog website project where I document and write about backyard food growing, self-sufficiency, and urban farming in general. I love sharing my foodie and DIY adventures online so come along with me and let's get into it! Cheers, Mark :)

[@KissMahGrits]

Gardening channels are the only thing keeping me sane and hopeful these days

[@DebRoo11]

Still applies to me now three years later 😅 2018? Can't remember such a time. Now I'm an introvert and an avid gardener. Could be worse I guess

[@michaelagibbs9695]

Last year I planted 3 sweet potatoes that I had in the cupboard that had sprouted and months later the vines spread over half my front garden. I was eating the green all summer and into fall. I got a good harvest but some of the sweet potatoes had grown so big that I couldn't get them out of the ground. Now these tubers have already started to sprout 😊

[@dygitalduchess]

Hello...just to confirm, did you plant the entire sweet potato in the ground or only the slips? I also have some that are sprouting and was wondering if I could plant them directly into the ground. pls reply and Thank you!

[@mikeharrington5593]

@@dygitalduchess I think if the climate is favourable enough, like sub tropical, then sprouting whole tubers will grow in the soil. The trick is getting the roots started, & with sprouting, & adequate moisture at the onset, then you are halfway there. Obviously in temperate climates with a short warm summer period then slips are the way to go.

[@siry5164]

Can you cut the sweet tator in half and grow use that as a slip please?

[@michaelagibbs9695]

Yes I planted the whole sweet potatoe with some of the skin showing and covered it with woodchips. When the green shoots (slips) are about 6 or 8 inches long you could break some off and root them in water if you wanted to plant some elsewhere. If you cut up the potatoe you need to let the cut end dry first before you plant it or it could rot.

[@rosemaryryan6455]

Amazibg. Mine were small, but in pot. My first time. Reckon the ground is best.

[@wellnessandcountrylife]

I plant sweet potatoes every year here in TN and we enjoy the root crops and the leaves. My husband has learned to eat the leaves as well. I'm from the Philippines and I used to planting and eating the sweet potato leaves. Country-living at its best!

[@seshenofthenile2363]

I've heard it's a delicacy to eat the leaves and stems in Asia. I am planting some purple sweet potatoes that are of the Japanese variety and the Stokes purple. I will be sure to eat the leaves and the stems for sure.

[@smadden911]

Marie, when do you plant them here in TN? It's the middle of May, is it too late?

[@kroach2653]

@@smadden911 you still have time typically 115 day harvest depending on variety. They will be ready to come out mid September.

[@smadden911]

@@kroach2653 THANK YOU!

[@tracycrider7778]

@@kroach2653 Thank you so much 💜

[@adelineparinduri]

Growing something is never a failure to me. The experience and the knowledge is what matters after you try. Get better results next time but no, never a failure. Love the vid, as always. Cheers from Canada.

[@kingjames4886]

too bad some things will never grow here without a greenhouse... still some stuff you can do tho. also a container method can help extend your season tho that aspect was kinda ignored in this video. I sometimes grow long season peppers in canada by growing them in a container, cept then you run into problems with pests.

[@wtfhomesteadingadventures7832]

I think sweet potatoes grow best when grown from a whole potato

[@jessiesalisbury86]

I have been raising a garden for most of my 73 years. I have Multiple Sclerosis and without a doubt it is the only reason I am walking today. The best part of gardening is (besides helping bring the expense of food for your family), I love to watch it grow. The fruits of my labor's reward. I sit in the garden for long periods of time and watch the birds. I am blessed to live 20 miles out of town and here the mighty Oaks and wild flowers are so breath taking, it brings a relaxing feeling to be surrounded by natures beauty.

[@jessiesalisbury86]

Hi Mark, This video reminds me of my very first Sweet potato crop I raised. I had no Idea of how many plants to plant. So I went out and bought 150 sweet potato slips. I worked them until I couldn't see the ground any longer. That fall we had sweet potatoes running out our ears. I canned and canned, I gave them to anyone who would take the Bloody potatoes off my hand, we fed them to the goats, chickens and geese. Then when we got tired of eating sweet potatoes we just throwed the rest away. Lesson learned. Jessie from Arkansas USA

[@carmenortiz5294]

Never considered selling them in a farmer's market?

[@echepr]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@markmcdaniel304]

Yes,I want to plant them because they are tuff and grow well. I'm off grid here in the woods and not much sunlight. I've learned they don't make good moonshine. Not a potato. Lol

[@patriciastewart2537]

I don't dig up the tubers. The LEAVES are so precious!

[@jennabronson4704]

Shoulda made vodka!

[@ddthompson42]

I planted one slip in each 7-gallon grow bag, and the bags were bulging by the end of the season. It needs more love because the water retention was low, but I think bags work better than plastic containers for root crops. Maryland, U.S. gardener. Thanks for the vid, Mark!

[@julie5654]

Should the soil dry out before watering again?

[@selecttravelvacations7472]

It seems like things in the bags really dry out fast to me but I’m going to experiment this year 3 ways.

[@bubbysbub]

For my fellow Aussie (and international) container growing friends- sweet potato grows really well in old kiddy pools. The hard plastic type, like the shell pools. You can often find them around autumn, especially around kerbside cleanup time, and it doesn't matter if they have big cracks in them, because drainage. Add a few cleaned plastic meat trays from buying your snags, and set them in the bottom- they act as mini reservoirs, and the plant can access a bit of stored water if it needs it then. I fill mine with a bag of manure, sheep or cow, a bag of cheap compost or pine bark, or both to get it full if I need, and a rehydrated block of coir- just the $2.70 block. Add a few handfuls of blood and bone and you're good to go. End of season, I whack in some more poo and a tonne of food scraps and grow a round of pumpkins. If you can't afford the space for a shell pool, go to bunnings and get yourself a 62L trug for $6- they're food safe, bpa free, and UV stabilised, so safe to grow in, and you've got more growing room than most pots and for far less cost- they don't heat up as badly as the black plastic pots, either. They're deep enough that instead of adding holes to the bottom, you can drill holes all around the outside about 5cm up and again give the plant a bit of a water reservoir so you get more out of what water you do give the plant. You CAN grow a decent crop in a container, but definitely eat those leaves as you go, to maximise your edible yield!!

[@germainediatta8395]

I wish you can put a video or a picture explaining how to use them.

[@aquilaclark814]

Thanks for all that extra advice..I really did not know you could eat sweet potato leaves 🤔🤔but don’t worry I will be eating them summer this summer..I had bigger sweet potatoes in my 3 gallon pots than I did in my bigger pots ..maybe because I only had one or 2 max plants in the pot that was smaller they were so sweet .:

[@toniatalley1977]

Thank you for that info. Im gonna get a kiddie pool for my sweet potatoes

[@paididoy]

@@aquilaclark814, you only eat the young leaves mostly the tip of the vine. You don't have to eat the matured leaves.

[@siry5164]

@@paididoy what will happen if you do please?

[@zacharythompson7911]

I didn't know the leaves were a spinach substitute. good experiment, thank you

[@garyvee6023]

..., and they are quite delicious and healthy. There are heaps of recipes on the internet. :))

[@robertbuckley2108]

They are amazing in stir fry!

[@lisacastano1064]

I actually think they taste better than spinach

[@redalesmoothie6464]

Lisa Castano Interesting. I like spinach. Have to try this.

[@grape1829]

Yep, sweet potatoes are a morning glory, not a nightshade like potatoes are. Young stems are good, too!

[@sandyp9891]

In February a few years ago, I tossed one old sweet potato into a container that is about three times the size of yours in the video and planted some flowers on top, thinking I'd have a pretty little arrangement. The sweet potatoes went crazy and choked out the flowers, filled the container, climbed up the trellis, spilled out all over the ground about three feet out all around and I had an awesome harvest when I cleaned things out in early October! But like you said, they needed lots of water and, fortunately, that was a wet year for us here in SE Texas. I think I'll do it again after watching this video (minus the flowers). Thanks!!

[@kaisenji]

I had a good chuckle with this. Sweet potato said "Imma take over ya WHOLE space, mate." XD

[@rachaelcarroll8718]

Plants are so expensive here in NZ so I never bothered however reading your message you only planted ONE potato in the ground which produced a crop that is amazing! So from one potato did you fill half a wheel barrow or a whole wheelbarrow? like how many sweet potatos grew from just one planted thank you

[@sandyp9891]

@@rachaelcarroll8718 I probably got three dozen potatoes or more, but most were on the small side. The ones that grew in the good soil with fertilizer got bigger, the ones that grew out into the grass had to compete for space, I suppose, so they were smaller. They were all tasty, though. The leaves are pretty. I usually have one rooting in my kitchen window year round. I've had to stop planting them, though, because the feral hogs around here absolutely LOVE them and will be very destructive trying to get to them.

[@siry5164]

Mine just started sprouting from the ground threw a mix of regular Organic red and sweet tators doing Hilling mostly in zone 9, with dried leaves and scraps bananas 🍌 leaves 🍁 too and like shellfish egg shells I think they’ll really love...Do you have to water Daily even in cool weather? Been getting 50s-60 degree weather lately so watering every other day?!? Please if someone can advise me really appreciate it GB and I usually eat the skins of the tators really good for you🙏

[@tamarabrown9364]

I tried planting something in a pot with sweet potatoes this year. I had to end up transplanting it almost immediately. The sweet potatoes took over in no time

[@johnwilks1563]

Thank you greatly from a disabled apartment dweller.

[@CurlyWirls]

Yes, it's cool that he is giving advice, especially now when world has gone crazy, on alternative, maybe not so optimum, ways to Grow Our Own Food. Thank you 🙏

[@asliceofheavenhomestead3559]

Living with the US military on base here in Japan, there is no garden space. I have done some videos about growing things in pots. Some things were great, some things, not so much. When I added a watering system on a timer, it made such a difference. This experiment was still a success because you learned from it, and you were able to teach others about it. Well done Mark 😁!

[@Joshyohmygoshy]

Finally the only person I trust does Sweet potatoes in a pot. Thank you.

[@avamaria8447]

I'm surprised. I always thought they need a lot of space to roam.

[@sandrad4900]

I take his word over others I've watched. He hasn't let me down yet. Good video

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

@@avamaria8447 Those are yams. Sweet potatoes are the ones that hide in holes and attack random creatures that wander too near. It's a common mistake.

[@Jill.Carter.]

Relationship goals: find someone who looks at you the same way that Mark looks at a rootball 😉

[@ThaParsonsWife]

Hedgewitch I noticed he was admiring and patting it a bit long🤣😂😅

[@kaisenji]

XD

[@dan7478]

My wife says I remind her of a rootball!

[@sp9304]

Hahahahaha

[@shirleycameron7718]

Awesome sir...btw where is this ? Do you know you can eat the young leaves as well...they're delicious...I mean the shoots...! Tks

[@jppatlorn1]

Thank you for thinking about people with various property sizes. I follow a lot of gardening and woodworking channels and most of them seem to have lost touch with the average lot/shop size and budget. Appreciate what you do!

[@f3nt0]

Same. This has been my experience too.

[@Andrew-lb1up]

I am not sure if you had done this 'joke,' on your sweet potatoes and/or potatoes videos, "Hello, You-tubers" HA! Good video, by the way.

[@OO_sunflower_OO]

Andrew HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA WHAT A DAD JOKE. I LOVE IT

[@domirex3361]

Well, now you can make a video ie "edible you-tuber" lol

[@Andrew-lb1up]

@@OO_sunflower_OO Although I am not a Dad, I do have one, and who loves 'Dad Jokes.'

[@dianeprince1684]

😄 Garden jokes always get me.

[@ponderosapondhomestead4344]

Good one!😂😜😂

[@ltlbnsgarden]

I think it was still a success. The small harvest always beats store bought, and it produced even against challenges 😊

[@wibowo8094]

Menanam ubi jalar dalam karung kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6fSgp6spLKDl7s

[@wendylinyeh1402]

Thank you for sharing this. I totally appreciate that you still posted this even if it wasn't a huge bounty. This is what all gardeners and food growers go through. It's unpredictable, sometimes you put so much effort into something and the outcome is less than stellar, other times you throw something in the soil behind a fence and forget it and get an amazing surprise harvest two months later. I'm going to plant sweet potatoes in a pot now (I mean, I have slips, I have a pot, I have soil, why not?)!

[@conflectiz]

While cleaning our kitchen island about a month ago, I found a small potato that had fallen to the side, I took it and I placed it in the soil next to my rosemary plant. Now I have two potato stalks growing out about 3 feet.

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

That's essentially how my parents started growing potatoes. They discarded some that had gone bad into the compost bin and when they sprouted, they moved them to a bucket.

[@ecologytoday]

I plant potatoes in similar sized containers and cardboard lined milk crates. I found that alternating light mulches with small amounts of soil as the plant grows works best. The containers are placed in areas that are difficult to garden. At harvest time, I move the crate/pot beside a garden space using a moving cart (ie no heavy lifting) and gently tip the entire container onto a tarp on the ground. I am able to harvest tubers easily and later, tip all of the tarp full of remaining plant/soil goodness to improve that garden plot.

[@wibowo8094]

Menanam ubi jalar dalam karung kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6fSgp6spLKDl7s

[@babyroot3479]

Currently we grow our veg in containers in a condo courtyard so YES many of us appreciate these type videos! Thank you 😍

[@wibowo8094]

Menanam ubi jalar dalam karung kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6fSgp6spLKDl7s

[@steveknight4291]

Growing in containers there is nothing more important than constant watering. I love how you admit your mistakes Mark, it's one of the reasons your one of the best youtube gardeners.

[@CurlyWirls]

Yes I too love the honesty. Mistakes are how we learn, and it's so important for people (like me) who cos of circumstance have to garden in containers, to see what we Have to do. The cons, if you like, as opposed to a perfect world scenario. Thank you so much for this video. Respect 💪

[@stokesseegers5012]

I'm laying in bed sleeping in on a Sunday morning on the East Coast United States, when I get the notification that you uploaded this video. The very first thing that pops into my mind is that for you it's probably about 9 in the evening you're just finishing your day and uploading that KZbin video that you've been editing.

[@EctoMorpheus]

Where is this going 😂 almost sounds like fan fiction

[@OO_sunflower_OO]

EctoMorpheus Part 2 You get the hunch that someone, somewhere is thinking of you and by a force you can’t explain, you immediately book a ticket to the east coast United States. You look for something and you don’t even know what it is. My mom decides to go for a walk and suddenly you lock eyes. “Would you like to buy my son stokes seegers?” She says. She immediately apologizes for her odd behavior but you agree. You also give her a carton of milk along with a fresh tomato you grew in your garden *like comment and subscribe to self sufficient me* you whisper to her as you hand her the check

[@stokesseegers5012]

@@OO_sunflower_OO now that's some good fanfiction😄 I carry a gun though😐

[@melindastclair]

The cicadas are singing loudly in this video. So wonderful.

[@chocodog6334]

Nice 1 digga 👍👍. Had a mate who swore by growing things in pots. His favourite was corn as all the knockers said you can't do it 🤔 Well he proved them wrong year after year until he passed. Cheers mate 🍻🍻 love your work🍃

[@chelinfusco6403]

Every attempt in growing food is NEVER a waste. Even if your expectations are not reached, it is always a learning experience. I was just telling my husband that if you had only those potatoes to complete a small meal for your family, slicing them small in order to "stretch" the yield, one small potato can give the eye appeal that you are eating enough. Besides, there are so many nutrients in the leaves too which can sustain you too. I know, this may sound crazy, but when you have limited funds and you need to feed your family, you can do so with the small amount of potatoes you just harvested and the leaves... my goodness, there you go, this is not a waste. Thanks for sharing.

[@wibowo8094]

Menanam ubi jalar dalam karung kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6fSgp6spLKDl7s

[@brockzalaker4069]

FYI roots can sneak out the bottom of the pot and grow decent sized sweet potatoes under the pot, if there is soil under. We grew some in pots last year and found sweet potatoes under the pots when we moved them.

[@Jaguwarps]

For what it's worth, your "failures' are also instructive. Thank you, very much, from Colorado, USA.

[@maite_reche]

I didn't know leaves are edible, good to know, thanks! I''m doing an experiment since last summer: I planted sweet potatos in containers at the end of the summer, kept them indoors during our cold German winter and I will bring them back to the garden much earlier this year... hopefully harvest will be good 🤞🏻

[@nikilenguyen6592]

...how did your experiment went? ...were you able to harvest much?

[@maite_reche]

@@nikilenguyen6592 not really, last summer was so rainy and cold, they didn't produce but I kept them indoors this winter (again) and they are back in the garden, I hope it goes better this year with the high temperatures

[@nikilenguyen6592]

@@maite_reche ...thank you for responding...I hope you find success with your experiment and enjoying your journey...

[@skell812]

Has anybody had success, bringing their large pot inside over the winter in a sunny spot?

[@NinjaDeGozaru]

Another reason that this experiment was successful: let's say you have very little space to garden now, but want to learn about growing sweet potatoes for when you DO have plenty of space. For such a person, just getting acquainted with growing sweet potatoes through experience is very valuable, I think, regardless of the harvest yield. Thanks as always! EDIT: grammar

[@ovsaturnus7160]

Well put. Acquiring knowledge is the way to go, in order to perform better in the future.

[@looksirdroids9134]

IF you ever get plenty of space. You can't assume that everyone does.

[@MasterMichelleFL]

I suggest growing sweet potatoes to the kids who want to start growing food. They're pretty easy, and most kids like them to eat.💚💚💚

[@pieceofkakes]

Same!! I want to have a homestead someday so learning as many necessary skills now so I can make mistakes on a small scale 💗

[@julierobertson148]

Never thought you could eat the leaves, too. That would makes growing them in my limited space really worthwhile. I'll have to look into that. Thanks, Dave.

[@jeanfsadni6338]

I lightly fry sweet potatoe leaves with tomatoes, celery and spring onions. Very tasty and nutritious. 🙂

[@julierobertson148]

@@jeanfsadni6338 Sounds great! Is there a recipe, or do you just wing it? Either way can you send me directions? Thanks.

[@meksparrow5425]

Thank you for this upload. For my friends who live in apartments this will be a great start. This virus has made us really think about the availability of healthy food we have growing at home. If lock downs were to happen to us or grocery stores run out of fresh food, I'm glad I have sweet potatoes to get by 😄 I want to thank Our Lord Jesus for blessing you Mark, in continuously sharing your skills and knowledge. I really appreciate your channel. Yay! 'Sweet potatoes are a rich source of fibre as well as containing an array of vitamins and minerals including iron, calcium, selenium, and they're a good source of most of our B vitamins and vitamin C.' Peace Brother

[@lauriewilliams8221]

"This is going to be a bit of a lift" BEND ZE KNEES, BEND ZE KNEES, Mark.

[@zzRider]

The climate nowadays , especially here in Alabama, is just crazy. Also, I had no idea you can eat the leaves off of the sweet potatoes; live and learn. Thanks for the info.

[@MasterMichelleFL]

Just don't eat white fleshed (regular)potato leaves... only sweet potato leaves. 💚🌞💚

[@MasterMichelleFL]

@Francis Lim I grow sweet potatoes in the garden beds meant for flowers and ornamental plants. I grow herbs(sage, lemongrass, turmeric, cilantro, lemon cucumber, radishes, and lots more), tomatoes, peppers, and lots more.💚💚💚 Thanks for the info!💚

[@tuneinat]

Very nutritious for chicken feed

[@deb5710]

First of all I love your channel, very informative. As a kid growing up in Oklahoma in the USA, my Dad grew the orange flesh sweet potatoes. His success I believe was that the soil was river bottom soil that was sandy, and he used chicken manure as fertilizer. As you stated sweet potatoes are a long season crop, so the expense of keeping them alive during the hot dry months of summer is an expense. Dads crops were grown in the field well tilled, mulched and NOT planted close together in a container or raised bed. The yield was fantastic, and of course the flavor of fresh sweet potatoes is unsurpassed! By the way the peeling has a lot of nutrients that are good for you as well. Happy Trails!

[@verdikulk6193]

This is my first try with sweet potato in a container of 30 liter in the Netherlands, I will see if my container is big enough, I have mulch on the top, so that can be a problem for re-rooting, but at the end of the year I will let you know, if i have a good harvest, but thanks for this video!! It gave me the courage to try it out, greetings from the Netherlands✌

[@Braintier]

im sorry Mark, but the way you dropped that pot in the wheel barrel was comedic gold.

[@bronsonperich9430]

My favourite parts of Mark's videos is when he picks up a canetoad, shows it to the camera and then throws it back in the garden.

[@YourJoy]

This dude. Love him. Thanks for thinking about us urban living folks

[@bencowles2105]

I love sweet potatoes. They are a super food and fairly easy to grow. I'd you add minerals it will boost production. Also water regularly. If you have dry weather water every other day or every day depending on your situation. I plant after the last frost when soil temperature is above 60 degrees Fahrenheit in a sunny area and harvest in the fall.

[@julie5654]

What minerals do you add?

[@markcissell6984]

I especially like the little clip of him actually eating a sweet potato leaf and nodding, 😂 We don't really eat the leaves where I'm from but now I want to try them👍

[@garrettbenson7743]

You seem like a good person who genuinely wants to help others. I appreciate that.

[@mojoisunbothered6785]

Being able to harvest the leafs is good success in my BOOK!👌🏽...I have my 1st sweet potato experiment going now for about 3-4 mths in a 10-gallon grow bag & have been been harvesting the leafs sometimes to mix into my salad greens. Can't wait to see what happens when I turn my pot over🙈🙈 What I've learned today is that I can trelis the growing foliage. I would normally fold them in or trim the leads as mentioned before. Thanks! You've done good!🤗

[@lileelisamc.4722]

thank you, I'm growing sweet potatoes in containers about that size and larger. I pray for a good harvest :)

[@paulaanncross-horton8317]

Hello from Trinidad and Tobago!! I have learnt so much from you over the years. Thank you for this vid; it shows reality.

[@mmmddd4366]

This is the plant that will same your life during SHTF. It's seriously that good.

[@island4x4adventues15]

Travis, from Hawaii. Wow, you make gardening so interesting. My family and I have been binge watching your channel. I've started my own raised garden using your platform as a guide. Could you make a series of cooking and or preserving the fruits and veg? We loved the pickling and recipe videos.

[@rudimentalgardening]

Growing my slips now, a little later than I would like but it should be okay. I am going to grow them in 25 gallon grow bags/pots. We will see how this goes.

[@dshep7850]

I am encouraged to plant in pots at my apartment. Thanks so much.

[@puresoul3062]

Seeing growing failures and then the diagnosis of what to do to improve is so necessary! Thank you.

[@csongorkertesz3751]

This guy really reminds me of Crazy Dave from Plant vs Zombies.

[@oekfoh8684]

lol

[@freespirit2194]

Haha! To me he looks like the offspring of Alex Jones and Russel Crowe lol

[@katherinehartman4770]

I haven't seen any bacon....

[@archy_jk]

🤣🤣🤣 yes he does look like Crazy Dave!

[@rhyscooke8372]

I always love these types of videos! Keep it up!! 👍

[@vonitadustylgreen2914]

So I just found your channel. I grew up in the country and we grew our own food but I never knew you could eat the leaves. Thank you. A harvest is a harvest and worth it for sure...

[@ericbarritt304]

I saw on KZbin tubers planted 2 or 3 feet apart over a large area of wood chips so that the tubers were touching the soil & completely covered over with up to a 12" thick layer of wood chips. The sweet potatoes completely took over the entire heap of wood chips and produced a very abundant harvest.

[@dovakhiin5159]

I grow radishes on a shelf with some LED lights just for the fun of it, plants are amazing.

[@mildadcosta6029]

Thanks for free training

[@Chris.Sheldrick]

Wow, your intro almost word for word addressing why I haven't ever tried growing sweet potato on my balcony.

[@johannagunning2921]

It was not a good harvest however it was showing us how to grow sweet potatoes in containers. I like the fact that you did go over the reasons for the poor havest. Also that we can eat the leaves!!! As my daughter told my sister it's not always for the crop it's for my soul. Yes, gardening can be disappointing at times, especially for new gardeners. I am a new gardener of 3 seasons and at the age of 76, my daughter's first time ever. I truly believe as we seed and grow we are feeding our minds, hearts, and yes our soul. Happy gardening !!!!!

[@MissChievousRN]

Livestock farmers often have empty "mineral tubs" drill holes and plant. At the end of the season, tip it onto a tarp (not as strong as Mark🤣) them you can amend the soil and put it back in for next year

[@StillSwirling]

This might be an excellent solution to growing sweet potatoes here in the cool zone 4 climate I live in. I have 3 very large containers (an arms width across) that might be perfect for this! I had great success in growing carrots in one last year. We have rocky/heavy clay soil as well so sometimes things like tubers can be a challenge to grow and/or harvest. Thank you for going out on a limb for us! I also didn't know you could eat the greens! Might be worth a try in that respect as well ☺

[@andreal.8628]

I'm also in zone 4 and it seems like a great solution for growing sweet potatoes

[@pdxbound81]

I love sweet potatoes all year. They’re really good for you. Great video!

[@lexica510]

A neighbor in our apartment building offered us a sweet potato that had gotten overly enthusiastic in the pantry and started sending out leaves. We put it in the corner of the planter bed figuring we probably won't get much (too many rocks in the soil) but at least the leaves will look nice. And now I learn they're edible - bonus! 🍠

[@julieseatter5775]

I grew mine in large 60:litre pots last season. I had large drainage holes in the bottom of which the sweet potato tubers grew through and ended up with tubers under the pot that were twice the size of the ones in the pot 😂

[@brightantwerp]

ThanX! This morning I watched your video about growing a ton of sweet potatoes, because I wanted to try it in a pot. And now you made this video. Super!

[@user-yz4dt7qp5h]

Thanks Mark, great video as always! I'm going to plant my sweet potato plants in two big tubs with only a few plants per tub. I planted three plants in my garden last year and got tons of them. I had to give most of them away!! My wife and I had enough to last us until Thanksgiving. They were delicious! I wish we could get those awesome planters from Birdies in the U.S. for a good price.

[@kyoglesage]

I've had a store-bought sweet potato sitting (right way up!) in water for over 2 weeks with absolutely no sign of sprouting. Then I read, tonight, that most supermarket sweet potato is treated so it DOESN'T sprout. I've been eyeing the lovely growth on your crop with much envy. You're not far from me except I'm just over the Qld/NSW border. If it weren't for the fact I wouldn't be allowed into Qld, I'd be paying your garden a nocturnal visit to nick a few slips!!

[@partlycloudyoptimist809]

Here I have Opossums. They go for my pumpkins. I’ve given up trying to keep the critters out of garden. I just try to plant enough so we all can be happy. I toss seed along the wood line for kale and other greens. Keeps Peter Rabbit from eating what’s in the beds down to the earth.

[@juneshannon8074]

In the middle of watching your video, I remembered that I cad recently bought some sweet potatoes so I put some tubers in water as I saw in vid. Hope I’m not too late for slips to appear in Adelaide. Just in case I’m going to plant a couple straight into ground.

[@justinsander7654]

I couldn't help but notice that you were missing a few things that would have made an extraordinary difference. To preface I consider you to defiantly be my senior in gardening with more experience and I have learned a lot from you. However, small container gardening has become some what my specialty. Post service I have trouble leaving the safety of my back porch. So I developed a way to garden in 5 gallon buckets over the course of 6 years with much trial and a lot of error until I was finally able to produce the kinds of results you typically only see in raised bed or open garden plants. Keep in mind that my method is heavily influenced by your raised bed methodology although with my zone being USDA 6a(mountain), growing season only being 90 days, and my containers being 5 gallon buckets some adaptations were required. 1. Aeration- The sides of a smaller container can suffocate the roots leading to a smaller harvest. To combat this I have taken up applying rings of 8-12 1/4" holes in the middle of the container. Also a substrate breaker such as perlite or the smallest size puffed clay pebbles helps prevent soil compaction at about 1:8 to the soil mixture. 2. Fertilization- Unlike a regular garden or even a raised garden bed a small container requires extra fertilization as a base. For the base comparison assume that you are starting with a store bought potting mix I have found that adding 1:8 each of blood meal, bone meal, and composted manure added to the mix is adequate for a start and that once a month(or as needed) you would add 1-3 cups of a similar mixture that is 1:8 each (3:8) + 1:8 perlite + 4:8(1/2) sphagnum peat. As what I call a rich mix topper to refill from depletion and provide extra nutrients for fruiting. 3. Layering- Since you have increased drainage and the stratum touching the bottom of the pot is not ideal at all. You can place polished stone like would be added to concrete at the bottom in a layer just thick enough to be above the drainage holes. Then on top of that a very thin layer of sphagnum peat which you should rinse causing the water to pool slightly. That will pay it even and ensure that all the crevices are filled to prevent your substrate from washing out. On top of that goes the soil and if you are worried about a more delicate from seed crop another thin layer of the peat which makes the perfect seed bed. With these changes I am able to grow and over winter in place outdoors blueberries, grapes, small apple trees, and all the usual garden suspects of tomato's, carrots, green beans etc. I belong to a facebook(US) group called Addicted to gardening and have made several posts there outlining this methodology with some great over time pictures. So any one can see and use it as their jumping point. I would be extremely honored Mark, if you did as well because with your reach you could use it to help many people.

[@carenbarnet378]

Thankyou for showing how to grow sweet potatoes. This the first time i am growing from slips. You have a funtastic channel, with hands-on skills to back up your wealth of knowledge. ❤

[@jeepdriver7603]

This is impressive. While huge success is gratifying, I learn more from my mistakes. Seeing the discussion afterwards is a godsend.

[@Rozzie...Brisbane...Australia]

Thanks Mark, I like to see the follow-up to previous plantings, especially when they don't flourish like expected, it helps in getting a better turn out next batch and the pitfalls that the plant may have suffered, position it was in for growing, outside influences (possum's, rats etc), weather events that effect plants.....Hey, at least the leaves are extra yummy in salads, stir fry's and fritata's just to name a few recipe's....

[@wibowo8094]

Menanam ubi jalar dalam karung kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6fSgp6spLKDl7s

[@siobhancrawford7236]

Hey Mark! Thanks for another great video. I've managed to get some space in the allotment community polytunnel so might actually have a go at sweet potatoes as we are now coming into spring here. Hope it works lol! Xxx

[@brieannerice5862]

I love your channel. And listening to your accent makes me happy. I know, I know. We Americans are the ones with the accents. 🤭 Thank you for all you do!

[@MrsChelseaaaa]

Anyone else want to grow these just for the nice foliage? The sweet potato is just a cool bonus! Definitely trying this out. His videos are always informing and enjoyable!

[@paulpaquette779]

I've growing them in pots for 10 years now.

[@lisanicholls6784]

This is my first year growing them. I have some in containers and a few in ground also. My fingers are crossed

[@Nathaniel_Peterson]

Have you had good success? If so, do you have any tips?

[@nef4588]

Can you really eat the leaves? I had never heard of that until watching his vids? Or is there only a certain type of variety? I would totally do this as I garden mainly in containers bc of space.

[@MasterMichelleFL]

I took out the ornamentals from my flower beds and grow them there. I have different varieties (purple flesh, orange flesh,white with red skins,etc) growing all over.🌞

[@domirex3361]

@@nef4588 it was very popular here in Indonesia, search recipe online for "tumis" and/or "pecel (indonesian salad)". usually we use leaf only without the stem

[@toursagada]

I tried potting and it had more tubers than the one my friend planted on ground...

[@nathano148]

This what what I need to start with potatoes an sweet potato yams, onions, tomatos. That's what we buy the most of awesome videos thank you.

[@tazzieg8656]

Dont ever apologise for the reality of growing vegetables. It is the reality of what can happen. So beginners see it doesnt always go as you hope regardless. I greatly appreciated the experiment, and feel that it was productive if there was only one person that is a feed for a few meals. So it all helps

[@elizabethveness7340]

I have some growing in an old tyre. It has spread to the next tyre and so on... did NOT know about using the leaves 🤦‍♀️lets just say... I won't go hungry.

[@vshankaa]

Love your videos. Have been inspired to start my own small garden!

[@AmericanF.A.T.H.3.R]

I truly enjoy your honestly and ability to show us some great pointers while also expressing your failures. Way to go Lad 🙂

[@rowanmartin6082]

I rent in a townhouse and can not put in any fixed garden beds. This video is perfect for me starting out in the garden! thank you!

[@walcotttracey12]

Great video Mark..I'll try my hands at growing some S.Pts. Never knew the leaves are edible!

[@juliebrothers6033]

Tracey Walcott violet leaves are edible too I heard.

[@mariaeuv7694]

Who's here learning to garden due to stay home from the Covid 19 outbreak?

[@TangoCat303]

Yes, in FNQ Australia

[@magdalenanisye9414]

Me🥰

[@52msdiane]

Yes! Times are getting perilous!

[@suwarti.dubaiagent]

Me

[@dustinfinamore9801]

Guilty! :)

[@kathrynlu7272]

i’m growing sweet potatoes for the possoms & squirrels around here. my contribution to wildlife! thanks 👩🏻

[@6996katmom]

I love sweet potatoes, but I don't get a big yield either. The best for growing is in pots, I think. So you can dump it out and eat the rewards without having to dig in the ground. Have a Wonderful & Blessed Day!

[@purbious1030]

Sweet potatoes grow like crazy here n south fl

[@MasterMichelleFL]

Hey, I'm Treasure Coast, 💚🌞💚 I grow mine in flower beds around my house. 💚💚💚 Love the perpetual gardening here(we did get frost in the Tampa bay area...just move over here and loving it (I got 250 mangos last year from ONE tree... 😳). I have so many tasty things growing in my suburban yard!!! 💚🌞💚

[@bmw875]

Love all your videos Mark from here in Bundy! Can you do a tutorial on how you deal with weeds? My big problem is nut grass but would love weed info also & what you do, occasional weeding? Seasonal weeding? More intensive growing? Anything would be appreciated

[@freespirit2194]

Grrr nut grass is the bane of my existence. I'm a bit further north in Townsville. Sempra kills it but its highly toxic. I would love to see a video on that too.

[@juneshannon8074]

bmw875 mulch, mulch and more mulch. Straw or wood hips almost eliminate weeds. Much will break down, so when the weeds pop through in earnest, not just the occasional one, add more mulch. And don’t forget pull weeds before they flower and their seeds spread.

[@judyhowell7075]

Image is product that will kill that grass

[@MarinaMandarinaWoolyWorld]

I grow potatoes on my patio in big compost bag or big pot just for fun, kids love to harvest them. Every year we get enough for 2 big dinners. My next goal is to grow sweet potatoes, their foliage looks so much prettier and plus it is edible. Thank you for this video, big help ❤

[@xxxnatexxxx]

Got my sweet potatoes growing in my raised bed. Can't wait to harvest in the next few months, cheers for the vid!

[@sc0tt500]

Another great video Mark. I found the same thing when I tried growing them in pots. A large root ball with few tubers. I had the same result growing regular potatoes in black pots too. Wondered if the "self pruning" material grow bags might get a better result? Growing in the ground has been way more successful for me but growing them in pots to get the slips started works well.

[@wibowo8094]

Menanam ubi jalar dalam karung kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6fSgp6spLKDl7s

[@mrmysterycake]

6:06 It's a mole cricket.

[@nightcore82]

Mr MysteryCake it was creepy

[@pozzowon]

The hero we need

[@garykellogg2758]

Are you sure? It looked like a little crab

[@beethovenlight8763]

Sometimes we do grow for the sake of experimentation and not for harvest 😂. So don't apologise for the small produce. Great educational video for revisiting

[@DianeHasHopeInChrist]

Been growing my sweet potatoes in a tub, in my apartment, next to a window & under a grow light. Omg...they a growing beautifully, and almost ready for harvest! In 2 weeks my sweet potatoes should be ready! Thank you!

[@bowler8]

dont take the skins off, all the goodness is in the skins

[@martelvonc]

There also may be have been too many slips planted in that particular container. The root ball prevented the tubers from developing. I love sweet potato greens. I harvest and dry them all season to grind for greens powder to cook with later. I've heard that the leaves have more nutrition than the tubers themselves do.

[@Jimjolnir]

So you use the green powder as a herb? What kind of meals does it work well with? I'm growing some now.

[@martelvonc]

@@Jimjolnir Not as a flavoring but as an additional ingredient just in powdered form. My family is not fond of greens themselves but I can sneak them into food and all they see is that the fodd is colored green.

[@mercedesmansionsuvlife3974]

I think it's worth it. I'm growing Korean Sweet Potatoes in a bag, in the back of my mobile home (Mercedes ML320) and so far, they're doing great and even if I get 3 Sweet Potatoes, it's Worth It, especially for my level of gratitude. 🙌🏾

[@evegrowing7749]

Mark, its Mark from Ct USA, very good talking about the good and the bad! It’s hard to do long experiments like this and you do a wonderful job! Thanks for sharing your time freely, I learned a lot🤟

[@ElNick09]

Australian possum: adorable, fuzzy critter. American possum: hideous, hissing, zombie corpse-beast.

[@rdragonsheridan]

Free Australia 🇦🇺

[@patriciatinkey2677]

I live in the south, where they like the heat, & mine escaped the pots & now there are vines all over! Free 'spinach'!

[@christiephillips106]

I have two teenagers who aren’t really interested in gardening, but when it’s time to pull up the spuds they LOVE it!!