This was absolutely an impulse decision. Why can't I just make a garden plan and stick with it?! These seem a bit fussy to me and I don't like fuss. Like how I direct sow as much as I can (beans, carrots, chard) so I don't have to transplant. On the other hand ... homegrown sweet potatoes!? How awesome will that be?
Well, we'll see how it goes. This is not exactly the climate for sweet potatoes. Margaret at Homegrown - Adventures in my Garden is further south than I am and she gave them a whirl in 2015. I was thinking even her area was too short of a season but not so as she had some success.
But I still had no plans. And then I came across asterlanedibles at a seed exchange in Ottawa. And she was selling sweet potatoes that she grew herself. And she's even further North than me! I couldn't help myself.
She said this area is fine for sweet potatoes but you need a short season variety and a very sunny area. She sold me three sweet potatoes to start growing slips with. They are Georgia Jet (or a shoot of Georgia Jet).
If they make it to the next stage, I will happily share an update. In the meantime ... sigh ... I am sticking them in some water to grow the "slips" - which is just sweet-potato-fancy term for sending out shoots.
I watched a video showing someone planting actual sweet potatoes with slips "sprouting out of them" which seems no different to me than planting actual potatoes with "eyes that sprout". So ... honestly and seriously ... just wondering if people make this seem difficult or what??
In the meantime, here they are at Day 9 with some roots (in the water) and some sprouts (above water). Or are those "above water" sprouts the same size as when I bought them?
Love gardening. Always. Even when you don't know what is going on ... it's still super cool because, you know, earth and food and stuff.
You are well on your way to growing sweet potatoes - I see roots and I see sprouts! I think you got off to a great start by getting some from someone who grows them in your area. That should up the odds in your favor. Remember too, the sweet potatoes want to grow! And as Norma Chang has shown, even the vines are edible.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree that is they key point, that they came from someone in MY area that has been successful at growing them!
DeleteWhat fun would it be to stick to your garden plan? Plans are made to be changed! Woo hoo, grow sweet potato grow!
ReplyDeleteLOL, okay, I shouldn't worry so much about changing my plans all of the time. Pretty fun, right?!
DeleteThose sweet potato roots look awesome - and after only 9 days? Mine have been in the water for over a month and the roots are nowhere near that large yet. Have no idea what variety they are & I guess they may just be one of the slow pokes to get started.
ReplyDeleteAnd why can't you make a garden plan & stick with it? 'Cause you're a gardener, that's why - we're all like that, it seems! :)
I moved them to a brighter (southern) window and they now have some green sprouts. Pretty exciting!
DeleteMake a plan but leave a few empty spaces for the surprises/changes of plan.
ReplyDelete