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SWEET POTATO

Ipomoea batatas

Native to the tropics of the Americas, Sweet potatoes are incredibly versatile veggies to grow at home. It doesn't matter what size space you have either as they are easy to grow in both garden beds and pots. Sweet potato is a trailing vine with edible root tubers. The young stems and leaves are also edible. Sweet potatoes prefer full sun and require only moderate water as the tubers will rot if water logged.

PLANT

All year round, but preferably in mid spring. It is possible to grow from a tuber directly or seedling.

HARVEST

15-17 weeks after planting. Tubers are ready for harvest when vines die in late autumn. Pull the vines out until you see the soil and then dig up tubers using garden fork.

EAT

The fleshy roots is a regenerative food of high energetic value are served as a cooked vegetable, in whole or mashed form, and are used as pie filling.

PRESERVE

Sweet potatoes will last a long time if stored in a cool dark place, but not the fridge as they are susceptible spoiling in cold temperatures. Sweet potatoes can be made into a puree or soup and stored in the freezer for a few months.

RECIPES

For something a bit different, try these sweet potato pancakes.