In my opinion– and given my experiences– sweet potatoes are among the easiest and more prolific vegetable plants. And homegrown heirloom sweet potatoes are just so much better than store bought. So I was very very excited to get an email from our pals at New Hope Seed Company announcing that they would be offering sweet potato slips this year!
[New Hope Seed (located just north of Memphis) has unfortunately, but understandably had to scale back in recent years. Their heirloom seeds are now available at Victory Seed. Still, I cannot recommend this two-person operation more highly, nor can I suggest more strongly that you give it your support. I reviewed New Hope several years ago.]
I few random thoughts… .
If you have limited space– say just a balcony or small raised bed– you can still grow sweet potatoes. Just get the biggest pot you can afford, and plant two-three slips per pot, or about a foot apart in your plot. If growing in a pot, harvest by tipping it over! The smallest quantity of slips available is 12— so share with a neighbor! Growing and harvesting information at New Hope, though there’s no mention of growing in pots. You’ll have to take my ford for it.
Northerners! You, too can grow sweet potatoes.
If the map looks odd, it’s because they do not ship to California.
What is this “slip” of which you speak? A slip is a little plant!
New Hope ships living plants according to estimated shipping dates– and note that they pay attention to the weather. Shipping can be a bit delayed if there’s a freak cold spell in your area. Unpack the box. Stick ’em water to allow them to perk up. Plant when ready. I’m ashamed to say I have kept slips in water weeks before I got around to planting them!
Shipping is free! So check out New Hope Seed Company! Heirloom tobacco seeds and plants also available. Tobacco is a beautiful plant, by the way. Lovely flowers.
The nine varieties that can be purchased individually (12 slips or more)
Savings on mixed varieties (24-100 slips)
No. I do not work for New Hope Seed Company! 🙂
Sooooo….what do we do in CA? maybe put sweet potatoes under the sink until they sprout???
Or do you know of a company that _does_ ship to Ca???
Here’s what they say about California on their website: “Sorry California. Even though the plants are shipped with an inspection certificate, the California Department of Agriculture holds up shipments resulting in the death of the plants.”
Plant killers!
Yeah– I can’t quite remember the procedure for making your own sprouts– BUT I do know that I have had sweet potato volunteers! Little bits of way too small pieces that left laying on the ground, or maybe pieces of root that survived the winter. It’s not like doing potatoes, though where you plant the sprouted eyes.
Give it a try!
Well….I suppose I could get subversive, have them sent to my son, then have him send them to me in an anonymous box…
Nah.
Knowing him, they die in the box before he remembered to send them…!
LOL!