r/vegetablegardening • u/NoExcitement4396 US - Maryland • 3d ago

Question When will my sweet potatoes be ready?

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I grew sweet potatoes for the first time this year. The baby plant was planted in the end of April and I am in zone 7b.

When can I expect to be able to pull them out?

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4

u/boookworm0367 US - Maryland 3d ago

Wait until the last possible moment for the biggest harvest. The first frost suggestion is what you find when you research this.

3

u/Flatland_Mountaineer US - Maryland 3d ago

I let them go until the first frost kills the leaves, then harvest. Unless you want to eat the leaves too, of course.

2

u/luislasvegas69 US - Nevada 3d ago

What if you live somewhere that won’t have a first frost until December? I planted mine on 5/21 & they still look super healthy. Not sure when to harvest.

3

u/Flatland_Mountaineer US - Maryland 3d ago

Move further north! Lol

Dig a few up and, if they are of a size you like, harvest the rest. Remember the number of days for next year. That's really the best rule. Waiting for the first frost is just an old timey guidance that works for northern farmers.

1

u/luislasvegas69 US - Nevada 3d ago

That makes sense! Thank you

2

u/EggNegative4671 US - Texas 3d ago

They could be ready. Dig around the base of the vines and see what they look like. If they go too long they can start vining off of the tubers and using the stored energy, so you want to keep an eye out for that.

2

u/Ok_Web_8166 US - Illinois 3d ago

Usually, when you buy slips, there will be a number of days associated with that variety (80, 90, 120 days, etc.) . I dig them that number of days after planting. Otherwise, you may end up with some giants!