Harvest sweet potatoes as early as when the leaves at the end of the vines have begun to yellow or as late as when the vine turns brown
Dig sweet potatoes out by hand, or carefully with a spade or hand rake. Follow the stem of your potato plant into the soil, digging up to 10 inches deep and two to three feet wide.
End of the harvest:
Once potatoes have been harvested, they will not grow back although it is common to miss a tuber or two that will re-sprout.
Storage and handling:
Brush off soil, do not wash until you are ready to use.
For long term storage, sweet potatoes must be “cured.” To cure sweet potatoes, lay out in a warm (85 degrees or more) and preferably humid place for a week or two. Wounds should heal and skins should harden when fully cured.
Once cured, store at room temperature. Cured sweet potatoes can keep for 4-6 months.
Recipe Ideas
Sweet potatoes are versatile in their ability to be sweet or savory. Try sweet mashed potatoes, glazed baked sweet potatoes, sweet potato tacos, or sweet potato fries. For dessert, why not a Thanksgiving classic - sweet potato casserole with marshmallows or a southern favorite - sweet potato pie?
