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Growing Sweet Potato/Kumara

(Ipomoea batatas)

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
								P	P	P

(Best months for planting Sweet Potato/Kumara in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.

Plant shoots or cuttings (Slips). Best planted at soil temperatures between 17°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
Space plants: 40 - 60 cm apart
Harvest in 15-17 weeks.
Compatible with: Best in Separate bed

New shoots on Kumara
Well grown Kumara

Frost tender Sweet Potatoes require a long warm growing season. Plant in free draining loose soil . Fertilise before planting but no more when the plants are growing as it will encourage vine growth. They will go for miles and you will get no tubers. If they do start spreading, lift the vines off the ground to prevent them rooting.

Mound up the soil about 20cm (8 in) before planting Let the plants die down, (leaves die or turn yellow) before harvesting the tubers. Dry them in the sun for a few days . then store in a cool dry place for up to five months.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Sweet Potato/Kumara

Use mashed, boiled, roasted, baked or fried. Or use in soups, pies, casseroles, curries and salads.

Your comments and tips

12 Oct 11, Sean Gallagher (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Can you grow from store bought Sweet Potato
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02 Sep 11, Simon (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Hi, I tried growing sweet potato here in Lismore, NSW. The plant grew well, but when it came to harvesting the tubers, I found that they were riddled with small white grubs. I have tried to google what the grub is and how I can control it (for next season) but the information is limited. Has anyone got any idea what the grub might be and how I could control them? Thanks Simon
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23 Aug 11, Savi (Australia - temperate climate): Is it possible to grow s/potato in Melbourne? If yes, when is the best time to plant them? Thanks!
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03 Aug 11, georgi (Australia - tropical climate): i plant all year round
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01 May 11, Mark (Australia - sub-tropical climate): I live in the Hunter Valley and the major supermarkets stock gold swt potato all the time.I believe they grow like regular potatos, so try buying some and store them in the cupbaord until they shoot.
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11 May 11, Carrie (Australia - temperate climate): They don't grow like regular potatoes and some of our customers have suggested they have harvested up to 40kg off the one tuber. Good stuff.
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20 May 11, syd smith (Australia - temperate climate): the wife looks after our sweetpotato and although she does plant part of the actual potato she mainly gets some of the runners with roots on and plants them in a differant part of the garden and she gets plenty off them,so need to spend money on buying s/pots
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22 Dec 10, neil (Australia - tropical climate): I read an artical about Sweet Potato/Kumara that planting in wet weather is not a good idea. It went on, to wait until it drys up a little then plant, about April?
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04 Aug 11, georgi (Australia - tropical climate): hi neil i plant all year round, wet or dry
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11 Oct 10, (Australia - temperate climate): I live in Melbourne and a ex Kiwi. Can you tell me please if one is able to but the NZ kumaras here?
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See planting calendar for these countries and climate zones

Australia - arid, Australia - cool/mountain, Australia - sub-tropical, Australia - temperate, Australia - tropical, New Zealand - cool/mountain, New Zealand - sub-tropical, New Zealand - temperate, South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical, South Africa - Humid sub-tropical, South Africa - Semi-arid, South Africa - Summer rainfall, United Kingdom - cool/temperate, United Kingdom - warm/temperate, USA - Central West Coast, USA - Maritime Northwest, USA - Mid-Atlantic, USA - North East, USA - South East and Gulf States, USA - South West, USA - Upper Midwest

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.

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