Grow Sweet Potatoes in Your Survival Garden

Sweet potatoes are an essential crop for any survival garden, providing a nutrient-dense source of carbohydrates, fiber, and essential nutrients like vitamin A and potassium.

In addition to their nutritional benefits, sweet potatoes are easy to grow, adaptable to different growing conditions, and can be stored for long periods without refrigeration or preservation techniques.

Grow sweet potatoes in your survival garden.

• Choose the right location Sweet potatoes prefer a sunny spot with loose, well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. The soil should have a pH between 5.0 and 6.5.
• Prepare the soil Before planting, loosen the soil to a depth of 8-10 inches and amend with compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil fertility.
• Plant the slips Sweet potatoes are grown from slips, which are small sprouts that grow from the eyes of a sweet potato. You can buy slips from a garden center or start your own by placing a sweet potato in a jar of water until the slips emerge. Plant the slips in hills or rows, 12-18 inches apart.
• Water and fertilize Keep the soil consistently moist throughout the growing season, but be careful not to overwater, as this can cause rot. Sweet potatoes benefit from a balanced fertilizer applied every 4-6 weeks.
• Control weeds Sweet potatoes are sensitive to competition from weeds. Keep the area around the plants free from weeds by hoeing or pulling them by hand.
• Harvest Sweet potatoes are ready to harvest when the leaves and stems begin to yellow and die back. Carefully dig up the sweet potatoes, being careful not to damage them. Allow the sweet potatoes to cure in a warm, dry place for 7-10 days before storing them in a cool, dry, dark place.

Following these steps, you can easily grow your own sweet potatoes in your survival garden, ensuring a reliable source of nutrient-dense food in times of need.