Growing Sweet Potato, also Kumara

Ipomoea batatas : Convolvulaceae / the morning glory family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
        P              

(Best months for growing Sweet Potato in USA - Zone 6b regions)

  • P = Plant crowns
  • Plant shoots or cuttings (Slips). Best planted at soil temperatures between 63°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 16 - 24 inches apart
  • Harvest in 15-17 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Best in Separate bed

Your comments and tips

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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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02 Feb 12, kate azzopardi (Australia - temperate climate)
yes u can. i've seen them at the dandenong market. i've seen them at only a few stalls towards the back. not knowing what they were, my kiwi friend that was with me filled me in. they're open tues/fri/sat. great for meat and top quaity fruit and vegies..
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11 May 11, Carrie (Australia - temperate climate)
I work for a company which sells sweet potato and the Kumaras you talk about sound like what we call Beauregard orange in flesh and skin.
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19 Jul 10, Joanne Lockyer (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi we recently went to NZ for a holiday and were quite impressed by Kumara. Where can I located some plants in Australia as we would like to try and grow our own. thanks
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13 Jul 10, ben (Australia - temperate climate)
hi everybody i live in western Australia and you can get the orange(anytime), purple(most times) and sometimes the cream coloured ones. I buy them more than normal potatos
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Showing 171 - 180 of 201 comments
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Plant the tubers that you want to grow but in a separate bed. They will sprout lots of shoots which will also have roots near the base. When the shoots are 40 to 50 cm long put a fork under the tuber and gently lift it out. Separate the shoots and plant them in the bed you have prepared for them as indicated in the article above. Last year, before I knew this, I planted several tubers where I wanted them to grow but after learning the right method I dug up three and planted out about 50 slips. The slips can be left in water while you are waiting to plant them out and in a few days mine put out prolific roots where the base was under water. You can also start the sprouting inside, cutting the tops off tubers and putting the cut down in shallow water, then planting them out when they start to sprout. Roots will also start growing but later than the shoots. Look for the eyes in the tubers as they are where the shoots come from.

- Paul

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