The Simple Way to Start Sweet Potato Slips Indoors (no jars of water required!)

Blog Post & Podcast: Starting Sweet Potatoes: Timing, Variety, Growing Slips, and Planting in the Garden: journeywithjil...
KZbin video: Comparing Sweet Potato Harvests in Raised Beds, Ground Beds, and Containers: • Comparing the Sweet Po...
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[@joemachismo6594]

I cover my containers with cling wrap. That holds the humidity in and dont have to worry about watering them. I take the cling wrap off once slips start to grow.

[@sharonstevenson5534]

would this cause mold Joe?

[@joemachismo6594]

@@sharonstevenson5534 Hasnt yet, I only keep them covered until slips start to show. I do the same with all the seeds I start indoors.

[@DeveronLong]

I partially covered my sweet potatoes in a clear tote, and by the third day they had mold growing. Do I need to start over, or will the mold go away once the slips start?

[@venessaevans8674]

@@DeveronLong don't cover them you don't want that mold growing I've been doing them in dirt for year's I don't cover them. I would start over. I just keep mine on a heat mat because where I live they wouldn't be ready in time have some going now. If you use a heat mat it will keep the dirt moist just keep checking the dirt but don't cover them you can put them close to the window if you live in a climent where I do where the weather isn't warm yet I would use a heat mat.

[@DeveronLong]

@@venessaevans8674, thank you! I did start over. They aren’t covered but are sitting on the soil with the soil pushed up to their edges. They are sitting on top of the dryer, but a heat mat is a good idea.

[@robertdaoust190]

In hot climates in the East, sweet potato leaves are used as spinach and the tubers are fed to pigs. The leaves are very nutritious.

[@JK-jf7xq]

Very informative video. I started using this method last year and I was glad the sweet potatoes sprouted more quickly than when I used water in a jar. Thank you.

[@bobbiewilliams3109]

I recently learned to grow slips the same way you have demonstrated. Previous years we put sweet potatoes in a jar with toothpicks. Wow, what a difference! Growing them sideways in potting soil grows slips so much faster! Ground cinnamon helps mold growth by sprinkling on the potting soil.

[@billyandrew]

I've used the same method for a couple of years, however, I don't let any roots develop, breaking them off and forcing the potato to put all it's energy into creating slips. An alternative to the product you mentioned, _'REV',_ is plant ferment. I use stinging nettles, but the ferment is a more pleasant, less smelly alternative to nettle tea, as well as being more convenient for storage purposes. Thank you for uploading.

[@highlandscommunityclub1160]

I’m not sure what soil I put my S potatoes in, but I know it was nothing special and my slips are doing fantastic! I LOVE this method! Thank you so much for posting this, it’s a winner!!

[@brianseybert2189]

Started my sweet potatoes the exact same way 3 weeks ago and they are doing just fine and dandy. Last year I messed around with sticking the sweet potatoes in jars of water and it was a pain, changing the water, moving them under the lights ETC. This is the way to go! First time visiting your channel, will do more exploring. THANKS!

[@jacquelinebaxter6420]

First year growing sweet potatoes growing roots in water on windowsill but now gonna try growing in the potting soil. Thank you for sharing Information

[@angelastimson2951]

This is the best video I’ve watched on growing sweet potatoes! Great job!

[@whatsinthat3657]

I just tried this method except I have it on a heating pad. They should be ready to put in the garden 3 week of June

[@joeygarza4370]

Hey Lady, Chucky called, he wants his shirt back.. Great video BTW! Very helpful tips. Have an awesome day!

[@debbiewilson9712]

FYI-- she does have a great podcast as well!

[@cms123tube]

Bought some sweet potato slips yesterday ... Boy, have they gone up ! Started searching for videos on starting your own. Yours is the best. I will plant my store bought slips but also start some myself for learning. Thanks and best wishes !

[@jeancampbell4341]

Please can you talk more on how long they take to mature. When is it best to harvest the potatoes. Ive heard that they store really well.

[@roxannecarson2814]

Thank you for addressing how much to water them. Sometimes that is left out and it is an important factor that I was looking for in growing my sweet potato slips.

[@anneparisi1828]

Have sweet potatoes in them jar with water. So gonna try this method tomorrow. Simple enough for me the beginner. Last year I tried and it was an awful. I try till I succeed is my motto. So again Thanks 👍

[@maryfelton1333]

I honestly wish I could give you 10 thumbs up. Best video yet. Including the seasoned gardeners:D.

[@lesmar234]

This was awesome. Just thinking about how to do sweet potatoes this year, went on line and saw this. Thanks for sharing.

[@janniebradford2483]

This is an awesome video! last year I cut the tops off a few that were growing, popped them in water for roots to grow and put them in a pot of soil in the greenhouse, let's see what happens this year 💗

[@ritabrunetti381]

Hello Jill. Thanks for the information about slips and planting. Be well.

[@bobbycarrell5050]

I done this in saw dust last year in a 12 x14 greenhouse and a tote

[@krstoner53]

My sweet potatoe plants didn’t have as large of potatoes last year. They were about half the size as normal with same spacing etc due to a wetter than usual summer here in middle Tn. I always plow my sweet potatoes with cultivators on my tractor to put more growing energy into the potatoes instead of the vines. The plants don’t look good after I plow them but the tops quickly recover and you get nicer spuds this way.

[@McFlysGarage]

I didn’t know what I was doing last year and took my slips from water right into the garden beds. Everything worked out and got around 28 lbs

[@patcharles3336]

I’m sooo excited! I have 2 of the organic potatoes I just planted exactly as you did yours in the salad boxes. Ordered grow bags also. I can’t wait, this is my1st time planting potatoes. Thanks for your advice.

[@markmcveigh630]

Really helpful. This will be my first year growing Sweet Potatoes

[@witchone5551]

Thank you. I just want a cool houseplant so now I know what to do!

[@philomenajohnson2995]

Thank you for getting to the point., good job

[@Seasoncromwell]

Great video, thank you! You gave tips that others don't regarding continued moistening of the soil which was my question when I chose your video. Subscribing!!

[@trevorelgram846]

Great info keep on planting Trev in rainy cape Town 😢

[@darkangelsoaps8258]

I was told slips will be $2 each this year in my area. I'm definitely doing this. Maybe I should bury a few eggs halfway and see if I get a dozen lol

[@yvonnegreenthumbbeachbum1455]

Great vid!👍🏽 I am definitely going to try this! 🥔🌱💞

[@milaizalibscan2902]

you can cook the sweet potato taps I mean the young leaves of sweet potato. boil half cook only and then remove to the hot water and then put on it tomato sweet onion and vinegar, salt and pepper. make a salad on it.

[@billyandrew]

Basically, use them in place of kale.

[@patlasky799]

Love your way of doing the sweet potatoes. mine are in water, have quite slot of slips. tried to pull 1 off, guite hard. probable will try your methods.

[@sifisosithole7656]

Thank you very much for such an educative session. Easy to follow and direct to the point. I am going out to do just that. Once more much appreciated lesson. Knowledge is power!

[@ljo642]

They're very obliging and forgiving plants, aren't they! Thanks for that - great stuff!

[@homesteadinabox553]

Thank you so much for sharing . Great video enjoy you use reusable containers .

[@mrpush2532]

Mine seem to be molding and rotting. Not over wet. Maybe mine were irradiated and are dead?

[@maryannditullio2581]

Thank you for this video. You explained the process very thoroughly! I am hoping to grow some and this will help me very much!

[@rhouy69]

Jill in the Philippines we plant our sweet potato or Kamote using the vine cuttings.

[@HH-pq6kh]

I’m In NZ and it’s coming into winter and using the vines can be a problem. Harvest in summer March and planting 6 months later in November. You are in a tropical country l assume. Thank you for your advice today

[@fridaysheritage844]

Thanks. Beginning gardening and so helpful to have your expertise.

[@Davidg1t1]

Thanks Jill for sharing this!

[@SH-gd9uq]

Thank you for REV I've never heard of REV. After some research I'll be using this in the garden. Thank you for the great videos. Can't wait to try it out.🤗

[@vernapars4551]

Jill cut the potatoes in half and double your crop cut side down

[@sheraleethomas]

EXACTLY what I needed.

[@millionairementality_]

Good information. Thank you!

[@gfkgfk7178]

Nailed it again. Another great video. Thanks a bunch!

[@CherylAnderson327]

Thank you this is very helpful.

[@timnic3850]

I had both water and dirt in container. The water one beat the dirt in container one hands down, having slips growing in 6weeks. After about 3 months, the container one started producing slips and has caught up. Now they are running neck and neck.

[@shaunaferguson6102]

Great info!! Just found your channel and have enjoyed your videos!

[@juliamarple3785]

I experiment with a different carb every year. Are they carbs? Idk, but thats what I'm calling them. Maybe I will try sweet potatoes this year. Thanks for the info.

[@jessiejackson1712]

Thank you!! I've been trying the Mason jar method and its just not working for me at all so this gives me some hope !

[@smallfootprint2961]

6 of 1 or a half dozen of another. It seems like either the water in the jar, or the damp soil, it's all the same, keep 1/2 the potato wet till you can harvest a few slips and root them and plant them. Planting directly into the soil may work in warmer areas, but here, I'm going to try rooting the slips in some water. We have frost later, so, I have to be patient. Summer here is really hot, so wondering about that too.... I thought you said they like it warm, now I read one of your responses where you say they don't like the hot weather. We usually go from cold to hot. How do you contend with that? Thank you so much fir all this great information. I already put my sweet potatoes in water before I saw your post. Thanks for the tips.

[@jeffreyimperial4891]

thank you for your idea 💡💡💡💡💡💡

[@pittylovinmom]

Thank you! This was so helpful ! I'm a new subscriber now 😀

[@charlynnegibson2893]

Me too 👍

[@tonijurkones9797]

Good Morning 🌞

[@choppersFL]

Thank you!

[@vickig.4605]

Some great ideas, thanks. It's almost impossible to NOT grow sweet potatoes here in So. Cal. I just dropped a little piece of root and it is growing next to the sidewalk. I have always just cut up sprouted sweet potatoes like I do white potatoes, and they grow fine for me. I don't understand why break off the slips and throw away the rooting potato.

[@gannaem2834]

Mine deflated after a while

[@danno5805]

Thank you, you covered everything I was wondering about 👍

[@chinatownboy7482]

I like this Aunty. She makes sense. This is how sweet potato grows in nature. In soil. A sweet potato in the ground will sprout into slips. Those become vines. More roots set. The roots swell and become new sweet potatoes. Animals don't come along, stick toothpicks in a sweet potato, then set it in a jar of water. In case anyone is wondering, raccoons and squirrels don't put toothpicks in avocado seeds either.

[@thebeginnersgarden]

That cracked me up! But so true!

[@cutlerlon8468]

4:25 to 4:30 appears to show different tray content? At 4:25 there are clearly 3 potatoes and at 4:30 there are 2?

[@4WorldPeace2]

How much artificial grow light exposure should the sweet potatoes be exposed to? Is a timer required for 12 hours, or is 24/7 recommended?

[@charliesmith9528]

How close do you keep new tomato plant seedling to the grow light,,also do you keep light on 24/7..im trying to grow plants but they get long and leggy,,added a fan to help with circulation,,friend suggested cuttingback light time..love your videos

[@mandidittloff4500]

Hey! I am new to your channel today and loving it ❤️ I really love the look of your greenhouse too from what I can see. Do you have any vlogs or pictures of your greenhouse? Would love to see more of it. Thanks so much 😊🌻

[@thebeginnersgarden]

Not yet! I only got it in October 2000, so I'm still learning how to use it. :) I do have stories saved an my Instagram highlights that talk about what I've done so far. If you're on Instagram I'm @thebeginnersgarden.

[@mandidittloff4500]

@@thebeginnersgarden Oh thank you I will 👍

[@danluther1741]

Excellent info!!

[@pneugass]

Excellent video.

[@felicitywoodruffe4087]

I'm living in the uk and would love to grow sweet potatoes but my area is cold and wet most of the year .summer is very brief and I don't the soil is 70 or 75 degrees early enough in the year for a whole start to finish growing of sweet potatoes. My tomatoes are always green and my beans small .

[@thebeginnersgarden]

Yeah they definitely love 90s in the summer. Maybe a greenhouse would be an option!

[@smhollanshead]

Consider using two containers. Punch holes in the first container. Place the first container into the unpunched container. The first container with punched holes will drain excess water into the second container.

[@callyscraftycorner2463]

I totally did this and it works. In addition, cutting them in half length ways allows them to sprout faster. I did an experiment with cut vs whole potatoes and both grew, but those cut in half sprouted faster,”.

[@rebeccaggarcia7250]

Great video. Just what I needed at this point of time. Will do your advices. Thank you so much for the very informative video

[@Brinyrogue]

Hi Jill, great video…. I’m new to gardening could you do a video about from seed packet to raised bed?

[@thebeginnersgarden]

In the plans, eventually. :)

[@tamarac9868]

What do you do with the sweet potato after you remove the slips.

[@alexanderduarte3525]

Hello Ma'am, I saw a video you shot in december concerning a mulcher you purchased. I just wanted to ask it has been worth it so far. Love your vids!

[@thebeginnersgarden]

I only used it that one time because that was all the leaves I had. But I will definitely use it again this fall! The leaves have been fantastic on my garden over the winter and into the spring this year.

[@roberth.9558]

Well done, Jill. Thank you for the instruction.

[@carolynmoody9460]

GREAT VIDEO 👍 THANKS

[@samfrancisco8095]

I did exactly what you did and a few others recommended and nothing happened except mold growing a month or 2 later.

[@shannjill]

How exactly do you water the potatoes? Spritz the top or just water the surrounding soil?

[@thebeginnersgarden]

A little bit of both...just enough to keep it moist but not water-logged.

[@wendyst.germain4482]

I have watched so many videos about this and nobody ever shows how to remove the slips from the potato. The one time I got some sprouts, I took them off and they died. I wish I could see what you are meant to do but everyone goes from showing you how to create the slip then next thing they are planted. How do you remove them, please.

[@georgezachmann4131]

Well done

[@claudettemonty4077]

If your sweet potatoes make roots during the time we wait for the slips, when you take them off to put in water, what do you do with the potatoes who gave the slips?? Planted them or composting them???

[@thebeginnersgarden]

I compost them.

[@Baconclub232]

Can you put the on the back porch

[@lizettemoreno1331]

Hello, did you cover the container for humidity? I am trying to grow this inside in Florida so when it gets warm. Thanks

[@siov4279]

why not put some suran wrap over the containers

[@esperanzaochoa9726]

Great video ! I just got my sweet potatoes and I have an empty salad container. Do I need to poke holes in the bottom of my salad container for drainage, or can I just plant them without the holes?

[@janicegame2372]

Hello! You can plant them without holes, or with obviously if you have pierced the bottom of your container it will have to have some kind of saucer! Keep the soil damp hope this helps.

[@laundrobob149]

Thank you . Nice video.

[@lisabrown5976]

Thanks for this video! The jar method is not working for me!

[@thebeginnersgarden]

It worked okay my first try, but I struggled on my second try because the slips just didn't grow! Then, when I started doing this, it was much more reliable, AND it produced way more slips that my first try with jars of water.

[@MiniMidgMom]

How did you save those sweet potatoes for 2 years? I’m in Tennessee, zone 7a with humidity.

[@deborahpiper5689]

Great job!! Thanks for sharing!!!!

[@marlama123]

Are there holes in the bottom of the container?

[@thebeginnersgarden]

No, I just try to keep an eye on the moisture level. But having drainage holes would probably be preferable.

[@mildredwilkins5781]

Thx

[@kiehljoseph]

you are awesome!

[@IAMGiftbearer]

Does the original potato you embed in soil disintegrate, or does it just sprout new potatoes off of it underneath?

[@kareni7535]

You mention the SPs were from "last year" and I wondered how they managed to stay usable. Did you do something in particular? Even the dark in my kitchen, mine will spout. Thank you.

[@thebeginnersgarden]

I just cured them in a hot/humid area. I have noticed that if I’m not able to cure them in those ideal conditions they seem to sprout sooner. Not sure if that’s just a coincidence or not.

[@lindabonomi7274]

great video...thank you!

[@gracechristianschoolcypres3189]

Great job!!

[@angelasheppard7197]

Thank you

[@trishcollier1175]

I just bought a sweet potato (in a box) from my local garden center today (5/20/22), not realizing that these take a LONG TIME to sprout roots, then sprout slips, then root the slips BEFORE you plant them. I screwed up....I now have to wait until NEXT YEAR to begin this arduous process to grow some sweet potatoes! I doubt seriously if this boxed sweet potato will survive until next Feb when I can start it. :( I didn't realize that sweet potatoes are grown differently than regular potatoes. Hindsight is 20/20 and I SHOULD have watched a couple of videos last winter to find out how to grow sweet potatoes.

[@thebeginnersgarden]

Don't give up yet. I've found that sweet potatoes this time of year actually grow slips quicker than when started earlier in the spring.

[@trishcollier1175]

@@thebeginnersgarden HUGE THANK YOU!! I'll try it now that my potato bags have FINALLY arrived!! BTW, I live in the 5b zone in Illinois, so I will cross my fingers that I get maybe one or two sweet potatoes out of it!

[@jazzmoos5382]

How many potatoes would you typically get out of each slip?

[@thebeginnersgarden]

I’m not sure I’ve counted the potatoes, but several pounds. I now only grow 4 plants because they produce so much.

[@suzio6571]

Thank you for this! I had tried this method before, but watching your video, I see where I messed up. Too much water! Is it too late to start in July? I live in So Cal where temps rn are 100 degrees.

[@thebeginnersgarden]

I don't know that for sure. They love hot weather, so it probably depends on how cool you get in the fall. And I'm not sure how daylight might factor in. You might ask your local county extension agent.

[@suzio6571]

@@thebeginnersgarden it stays hot here well into late October. Thanks for replying!

[@shannjill]

I am growing slips this was and the roots of the slips are actually in the dirt. Should I just plant them directly or still put them in water?

[@thebeginnersgarden]

I've done both. I've found that the ones that can remain intact with the soil will do fine going directly into new soil, with lots of water. They may wilt for a day or two but usually they recover. For the ones with few roots, I find rooting them in water to be necessary; otherwise, they may not survive the soil long enough to grow more roots.

[@rebeccaherrera6006]

I’m an accidental and sometimes experimental gardener. I found you because my father likes to mistreat plants and by that I mean he doesn’t wait for a harvest or do anything to maintain the soil, sunlight, etc. he saw a garlic flower and pulled it (like a weed) then put it on a table in the elements. A part of me just knew something wasn’t right and a few days later I see he’s cut the cloves and left that out as well. I love garlic but the buds don’t look healthy and I’m considering to root it and put it in a pot. What would you suggest I do? We live in Central Texas so the weather changes frequently. It can get HOT like (figurative) Hell and overcast and cool the next day. I also watched your video on sweet potatoes. Again, accidental gardener here. We just can’t get to some of our food and I despise waste. There isn’t anywhere to compost or recycle in this state so I started composting in a pile outside in the yard. Anyway, I have sweet potatoes that have rooted and grew those little vines on the bin on the darkish countertop. Should I just put them in the soil outside? My mother isn’t going to eat it anytime soon. I have already thrown russet potatoes in the compost that softened and wrinkled up. They look new 😂 and have sprouted. The question is-to eat it or not to eat it? 😂

[@thebeginnersgarden]

I'm not sure about the garlic; I'm not really understanding your question. With sweet potatoes if they are sprouting, you can snap the slips off the sweet potato like I showed in this video and plant them. Potatoes can be planted once they have sprouted, too, but if they aren't organic, you risk putting disease in the soil if they are not certified disease-free. And in central Texas, I don't think they'll grow well now because they don't like hot weather. I usually plant my potatoes in Arkansas in February or early March. You could try for a fall planting.

[@carlacrawford9322]

So, your father saw a garlic and pulled it and placed in on a table in the elements. Garlic needs to be cured in order to store for longer periods. Perhaps he is curing the garlic? Because that is how gardeners cure garlic. They lay them out to dry the stalk and develop a papery skin. If you were to try to plant the garlic now, you would not be successful. Garlic needs a cold period. I suggest you do more research on growing garlic.

[@tobruz]

How many weeks from start to garden?

[@thebeginnersgarden]

For me it's about 4 weeks from start to transplant into a small pots, and then another 2-4 weeks before they go in the garden.