What You’ll Need:

• Sweet potato slips (young, rooted plants)
• Soil bags or large grow bags
• High-quality potting mix or a blend of compost and garden soil
• Watering can or garden hose with a gentle spray setting
• Fertilizer suitable for root  vegetables
• Garden trowel or hand spade
• Mulch (straw, leaves, or black plastic)
• Optional: Stakes or trellises

Step 1: Choose the Perfect Spot
Find a sunny location where your sweet potatoes can enjoy 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. Good drainage is key, as sweet potatoes thrive in loose, well-drained soil and cannot tolerate waterlogging.

If you’re using commercial soil bags or grow bags, fill them with high-quality potting mix, leaving a few inches of space at the top. Alternatively, mix equal parts compost and garden soil to create a well-aerated, nutrient-rich medium. Sweet potatoes prefer loose, friable soil that allows tubers to grow freely.

Purchase sweet potato slips from a nursery or grow them yourself from mature sweet potatoes. Plant slips 4-6 inches deep in the soil bags, spacing them 12-18 inches apart. Position each slip upright, ensuring the roots are fully buried while the leafy top remains above the soil.

Step 4: Keep the Soil Moist
Water your sweet potatoes consistently to maintain evenly moist soil, but avoid waterlogging. Early morning watering is ideal, as it allows the leaves to dry during the day, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.

Feed your plants with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer designed for root crops. Start fertilizing a few weeks after planting, following the package instructions. Be cautious not to over-fertilize, as this can lead to excessive vine growth at the expense of the tubers.

If you’re short on space or want to encourage better tuber development, consider using stakes or trellises to support the vines. Training the vines upwards keeps the area tidy and makes harvesting easier.

Apply a layer of mulch, such as straw, leaves, or black plastic, around your plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Keep the mulch slightly away from the plant stems to prevent rot.

Step 8: Harvest Your Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are ready for harvest approximately 100-120 days after planting, depending on the variety and growing conditions. To harvest, carefully dig around the base of the plant and gently lift the tubers from the soil. Handle them delicately to avoid bruising or damage.

After harvesting, cure your sweet potatoes in a warm, humid environment (80-90°F or 27-32°C) for 10-14 days. This process enhances their sweetness and helps heal any minor cuts. Once cured, store them in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area to extend their shelf life.

Growing sweet potatoes in soil bags is a simple, efficient method that works wonderfully in small spaces or suboptimal soil conditions. With proper care and the right setup, you’ll enjoy a bountiful harvest of these nutritious root vegetables. Follow this guide, and soon you’ll savor the taste of sweet potatoes fresh from your garden. Happy gardening!