My SURPRISING Sweet Potato Harvest

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

The sweet potato season is over for me. I collected 25lbs for the year! YAY

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

@@howdyEB they are amazing. My new favorite

[@inimitableminimalist]

okinawan purple has done better for me than any other variety here in Hawaii. the color and flavor are fantastic as well.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

That’s awesome 💚

[@sherifrier1078]

You got orange sweet potatoes in your white sweet potato bed likely because vines from the orange bed grew over and rooted. They can root at each leaf node. Mine are in the ground and spread out everywhere.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

That’s entirely possible. I did separate them by 8 feet but some could have made their way in there.

[@lindapedersen-hylka7170]

This was my first year growing sweet potatoes. I grew them in a grow bag. I got about 7lbs. I started small, I like to do that with each new crop, so I know how things go. Watching you & others having to dig to get them out I'm glad I did. I just lay out a tarp & tip it out, so much easier. Mine were on the small side but I think I harvested them too early. I also learned that grow bags dry out much faster than others. When I poured them out, I noticed the bottom half of the dirt was very dry. I'm making sure to do deeper watering in my bags. I'm growing white potatoes now, fingers crossed they do well. I will definitely grow more sweet potatoes again & I will dedicate more bags to them. Sorry you didn't get as much as expected, but some of those were really a nice size. Thanks again.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Thanks! I’m grateful for what I did get 💚I’m going to try your way next summer and grow in containers. I think that would be fun to try.

[@soniamarshall9293]

Thanks for the cooking demo for the taste of the white. I had bought a orange skin potatoe that was white inside. It has become my favorite.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I love trying all different varieties. You never know what you will like until you try.

[@sherifrier1078]

I grew slips from Japanese sweet potatoes and orange ones in April. I planted them 50/50. I harvested 90 lbs but very surprisingly I only had about 5 orange ones. They were interplanted so not separated. Also surprisingly the orange ones had terrible pest damage and the Japanese ones had very little damage. Last year I planted purple ones (inside and out) and I had a few of those come up this year from roots still in the ground from last year. Of course now I’m pulling new vines daily because I have my brassicas in that area this fall/winter.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I’ve grown Japanese ones in the past and I experienced the same thing. They always did really well. I’m going to try some new varieties next year. Should be interesting

[@ellenconforti5693]

My sweet potato harvest was ok. I got enough for my husband and i for the year. They weren't as big as i would've liked them. They were store bought organic sweet potatoes from Publix. I grew the slips in the dirt and planted them. I did pick them about 6 weeks before you did because i like to get the soil all cleaned out because the onions are coming. But i am happy with what i got. The weather was very hot and dry this year so i am sure that might've hindered them a bit. I do clean my potatoes off like you do but i keep them in a plastic tub bucket that has many holes in it for air circulation and i just leave them in a corner on the patio. They never freeze and it frees up some room in my pantry. I think i will try next year to plant them in early May. This year i didn't get them in till June. I also didn't get any flowers this year on my plants. Very good video. It's nice to see other people's successes that are in the same area. Your neighbor in Citrus County Florida Gardener Zone 9a I wonder if on the new 2023 zone map if our zones here on 9a changed. But i think even though it says 2023 it tested only till 2021 which really doesn't include all the heat we have had the last 2 years. I like to push the growing season with trees that have some tropical fruit.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I think the weird dry summer we had definitely had an impact. I’ve seen a lot of folks have smaller than normal harvests so that might be it. My zone did actually change to 9b. I wasn’t super surprised by it. During the summer my garden acts like 9b but during the winter it’s more like 9a so just confirms my suspicions

[@TheHornMedic]

I'm in Central Florida and had a real nice Sweet Potato harvest. I planted Centennial, Beauregard and Georgia Jets. First time growing Georgia Jets And was pleasantly surprised.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Congrats! What color are the Georgia Jets? I might have to try those.

[@desireelamarche7149]

Morning Glory is the name of the flower

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Thanks!

[@conniecrites5148]

My harvest was bad but the company sent me my slips last fall. So they went through some frost in the winter (north florida). I wasn't sure I would get any after that. My potatoes did better than my sweet potatos. My King Harry potatoes from Wood Prairie Family Farm did the best. I will definitely plant them again.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I’ll have to try those. I’ve had the worse year growing regular potatoes.

[@MicknKids]

Interesting you mention this store. It's been open in my browser for a week, I was contemplating buying from them. It's so good to know they did well for you. I'll def. be buying some on Friday. Thanks a lot

[@annadurnin1007]

Nice harvest you had, even though not quite what you expected. I live in Florida zone 10a and we had a wetter summer this year. My harvest was disappointing also, mostly small sized potatoes with one that appeared to be two potatoes joined end to end. It must have been 18” long! I grew mine in homemade compost and it was probably too rich. I plan to add some sand to the mix next year and no fertilizer to see if I get a better harvest. If you save one of the white sweet potatoes to use for slips for your spring garden, you won’t get any surprises when you harvest them. Thanks again for all the great videos.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

18”?!! That’s so funny. I love the weird looking ones. I’m definitely going to start slips with the white ones next year. They are fast becoming my favorite variety. Glad you enjoyed the video 💚

[@sarah_farm]

I am always fascinated on how you turned something into many kind of dishes. They are so mouth watering 🤤! And it's an honor to have you visit our channel, we can discuss more about our experiences in harvesting and building farms.

[@kelliwebb2870]

My sweet potato harvest sucked this year too! I’m in zone 10a in Southwest Florida. I think I’m going to grow them in the ground in 2024 instead of a raised bed.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I’m going to try in a container next summer. Or maybe I’ll try in ground too

[@AM-yc5tf]

So do you have to replant those beds or will new sweet potatoes just grow because you left roots?

[@Rosalyn-z6t]

I had a great harvest this year!FL born 😊

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Yay! Congratulations

[@esthersodini4472]

Loved the sweet potato flower! That was a real treat. To my eyes your harvest was beautiful, and that white sweet potato with butter made my mouth water. I live in Boca Raton, FL, zone 10b. This year I had a problem with my second round of sweet potatoes grown in 15 gallon grow bags. The leaves started having this strange coil like spots and then like a trail around the edge of the leaves. Soon most of the leaves had that.and had to get rid of the plants and also the soil (quite pricy soil mix from organic mechanics). Do you know what type of pest was that, or a disease? I have no idea of how to combat this. About a month ago I started another group of bags, and they are doing very well now.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Aww thanks. I’m still very happy with the harvest. I just was hoping to feed a couple households this year. If you want, send me some pictures of the leaves if you have some and I can take a look at it. My email is in my profile section.

[@deancitroni4447]

Can you save The Vines and use them as slips for other sweet potatoes?

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Yes, you can. They will grow new sweet potatoes

[@chrisvanvooren6857]

If you didn’t harvest the sweet potatoes will the vines, grow back? I’m thinking of using sweet potatoes as ground cover.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Yes, they will. In fact, I’m sure I’ll be pulling vines out of this bed for years to come. They are great volunteers

[@doinacampean9132]

I wonder if those thin things that are something between roots and tuber would continue living if left in the ground.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

They should. Mine seem to come back year over year if I leave them in the ground

[@carolparrish194]

Since you have used the beds in the past for growing sweet potatoes you might have depleted the soil of necessary elements. Try adding some good compost next year and some TLC. It usually only takes around 90 to 120 days to grow sweet potatoes.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Thanks for the tips!

[@janicemoyer854]

I got about 6lbs out of 1 and 1/2 green stalks and one grow bag. They flowered throughout the summer. I trimmed back the vines and harvested the leaves multiple times and dehydrated and ground them up into powder to add to different meals that i cook. (Veggie powder of many different edible greens) I’m still working on my garden beds so it was the only option for me and first year of growing them so can’t compare to anything else. Honestly would have thought your newer bed would have been less productive since the soil is less loose with the sticks/wood that hadn’t broken down yet. Gardening is always a mystery with so many variables in play. I do know that it’s about time to start working on the slips for the coming summer! Zone 10A

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I think I’m going to try growing them in my greenstalk next summer. Maybe controlling the vines may lead to bigger tubers. How were the sizes on yours?

[@janicemoyer854]

They were various in size, not big like you may see at the grocery. Honestly think I’m gonna use the grow bags for the tubers. Just easier to dump out in the garden cart.

[@JodiMcKeithanBDR]

I love your channel! I heard that sweet potatoes are invasive. Do you have problems with replanting those beds. I wanted to use sweet potatoes as a cover crop this summer.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Aww thanks! They are a bit invasive but not super bad. You will be pulling volunteers for a bit a year or two later but if you catch them when they are young, it’s not too bad.

[@officeadministration5951]

Wondering if you can do sweet potatoes in a bucket like white potatoes?

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Yes you can but it’s not necessary to hill them like white potatoes

[@Chocamatoes]

I think the intense heat placed all plants in survival mode. My harvest was disappointing too.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

The weather this year has definitely been a challenge this year.

[@اميرناظم-ك4ظ]

Nice ❤

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Thanks 💚

[@frednot809]

The reason for the flower is that sweet potatoes aren’t really potatoes at all. They are a type of morning glory. I’m not sure why they don’t flower all the time but that is what that flower is a morning glory.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

They are so pretty. I think they flower more the longer they are planted which is why people see them further south rather than more north.

[@KEENDARLING]

Last year I found sweet potatoes in my flower bed and all the places I meant to plant them too!!! This year I also had flowers pretty purple ones But hardly any sweet potatoes and i waited 6 months!!! I had fungal issues really bad this year but it's weird I also tried growing the white ones

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

It’s so pretty.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

@@KEENDARLINGit’s been a tough year for sweet potatoes. So weird

[@marilynearl6887]

Mine got weevils in them this year. I also got white sweet potatoes that never took off and died out .

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I always get a few with weevils too but not too bad. I’m really enjoying the white ones. Hopefully I can grow more next year.

[@sofiaceleste6299]

Para que sean mas dulce debes dejarlas guardadas por algun tiempo, saludos

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

💚

[@jholcomb9532]

I was surprised by a lovely flower on my sweet potato bed, too. Some shapes looked like creepy fingers. I also did not get as many taters as I was expecting, but thank God for the harvest. Mine were Beauregards.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Those are my favorite. Solid performers and they taste great!

[@MichelleCobb-lp7pv]

Do you think clipping off some of vine would have sent more energy to making potatoes?

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I’ve heard that theory and I’m testing that this year. Hopefully I’ll be able to prove/disprove that.

[@MichelleCobb-lp7pv]

Thanks for the reply. We do enjoy watching and learning from your videos.

[@beverlyhughes9694]

We are actually known as the sweet potato 🍠 capital here in Mississippi the Beauregard is what most of our farmers here raise we also have the white ones and then we have a variety that has a purple flesh on the inside of the potato we also have a local shop called Sweet potato Sweets that sales and ships different items made from sweet potatoes

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Very cool! I usually grow Beauregard too but I grew the purple Japanese varieties in the past. This was my first year growing white.

[@duaneschultz9230]

Hi Patrina. I hope all is going well with you. I hope you had a great Christmas. Do you think that that lady that made the heirloom purple tomato would be interested in selling me a pack of seeds? Thank you for the video. I think I’m going to download the planning book and have it printed out. And bound. God bless you and your family. Duane.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I don’t think I still have her contact info but if I can grow it, remind me and I’ll try and save some seeds.

[@duaneschultz9230]

@@HomegrownFloridaZ9a OK thank you. ✝️

[@doinacampean9132]

Abundant greens but not too many tubers could mean too much nitrogen in your soil, compared to other components, like potassium and phosphorus.

[@fishingpinky3165]

What do you do about the nematodes?

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I’ll add some crab meal and try to grow only plants not affected by them like greens and broccoli. After a season or two they should be reduced. I’ll add a lot of compost too since they usually get crowded out by good nematodes when you use homemade compost.

[@joselugo9973]

I was very surprised to see you boiling those potatoes. boiling takes the nutrients out of the potatoes, unless you plan to use the same water to make a soup and so get the nutrients in the soup. I microwave my potatoes for 4 to 7 minutes depending on the size, then I let them rest on the counter with a towel over them to finish the cooking for 5 minutes, this way I get all the nutrients. Also, before I put them in the microwave, I puncture them with a fork so they don't explode.

[@joselugo9973]

I forgot to mention that I cook regular potatoes in the microwave, I never tried to microwave sweet potatoes, but I guess it's the same.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I normally bake mine but when I’m making mashed potatoes, I usually boil them. I’ve microwaved sweet potatoes and they work the same way as you said.

[@soniamarshall9293]

I boil them with the skin, then peel. The purple ones taste better boiled then roasted.

[@akkat8396]

I really don’t like white sweet potatoes. Love the red or orange though.

[@doreenaitken5308]

Not enough rain this year I think

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

That could be it. It was pretty dry this summer.

[@Derilla-u8e]

My guess is that the unhealthy bed had finish doing it's and the healthy bed was still growing ?

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

That is a good guess, especially for gardens north of me but in my zone sweet potatoes are perennial so they don’t actually died back. Or they shouldn’t, I should say.

[@scottbiz1127]

I believe my sweet potato harvest was better 3yrs ago when I had planted them in top soil. Last year and this year was not a good year for me. My soil is too rich for them. Next year I'm going to grow them in 3 different soil type and see which is better.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

That’s a fun experiment. I’d love to hear how it goes.

[@scottbiz1127]

@@HomegrownFloridaZ9a I will let you know how it goes next year. I too live in Florida (North Florida).

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

@@scottbiz1127 that would be great. Thank you!

[@VJWLPN1]

I haven't harvested my sweet potatoes yet. A few that I did dig up were too small. I am a Colorado Rocky Mountain girl and have just started learning about growing in Fl. I live in z9b. So0o....I want to thank you so much for your videos and sharing what you have learned. It's like having a private tudor!! Thank you!

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Oh my gosh. It’s my pleasure. I’m so glad it’s been helpful 💚

[@doinacampean9132]

Before discarding your "weeds", take the time to identify them, maybe you want to keep some of them :)

[@sangitadesai7278]

Maybe needed some fertilizer 🤷‍♀️ I have never grown sweet potatoes. Maybe weather too cuz we have had a very hot summer. Hopefully I can grow some sweet potatoes next year.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Yes! Definitely give them a shot. Even with a tough year, I still love the harvest I got.

[@soniamarshall9293]

Can sweet potatoes cross pollinate?

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

No. We grow them from actual potatoes rather than seeds so those are considered clones.

[@mariap.894]

I got NOTHING!! The Iguanas devoured ALL the leaves, left me only sticks!!!.😭 I guess you don't have that problem 🤔 Petrina, can you try to reuse that pierced sweet potato to grow slips again?❤

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Haha. No, I don’t get iguanas here. And yes I can use it for slips. Great idea.

[@mariap.894]

@HomegrownFloridaZ9a You are so lucky! Today, I caught an iguana bc I finally put bird netting over the last pot of sweet potatoes! I couldn't resist petting her and finally released it. Hope she learned her lesson🌻💜🦎

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

@@mariap.894 they are super cool animals but pretty annoying in the garden, or so I’ve heard.

[@deadlyliar__xd6505]

I harvested only 1 4" guy

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

It was a tough year for sweet potatoes 😕

[@GabrielleFontaine]

Yep, everyone at our community garden had a disappointing harvest of sweet potatoes this year. I would guess the drought may have been a factor.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

@@GabrielleFontaine I think you are onto something there. Drought would do that.

[@coryhyatt2035]

Regular sweet potato if not cured doesnt become as sweet. I just set them on the counter uncured. Have mashed them like regular potato after sitting for over a month. They were still just slightly sweet. Way better than a super sweet potato. I prol wont cure my sweet potatoes anymore.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I’m definitely a fan of the uncured white sweet potatoes. I think I’ll probably do the same.

[@kevinmiller5467]

16:10 If you grew sweet potatoes there before there is a chance you missed very small seed potatoes.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I actually haven’t grow them in that bed before but it’s possible maybe one made it in my compost 🤷‍♀️

[@christina2466w]

Hand digging is better