How to Harvest and Store Sweet Potatoes
Harvesting sweet potatoes is relatively simple, but do you know when and how to do it? The right harvesting and storage ensures your sweet potatoes will last for months after you pick them. Learn everything you need to know in this guide.
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Sweet potato plants are a nutritious option for keeping the cellar full through winter. Gardeners with large harvests need to keep a few key considerations in mind at harvest time to help extend the storage life of their crop.
While the growing season is often marked by high humidity, sweet potatoes require cool, moisture-free conditions for long-term storage. Proper storage is only possible after curing, a process during which starches convert to sugars and the tubers develop a second skin that improves resistance to bruising and decay.
Methods for long-term storage have evolved over centuries alongside human technology. For gardeners living in energy-efficient or off-grid homes, sweet potatoes can still be stored outdoors using the age-old banking method. For those who prefer easier access, storage in crates or boxes is also effective. Home cooks can also boil and freeze sweet potatoes to keep prepared home fries or baby food readily available.
To further improve storage success, choose varieties known for long storage life or those best suited to your local growing conditions and zone. Harvesting healthy, undamaged tubers is one of the strongest indicators of successful long-term storage.
When To Harvest Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are ready to harvest when tubers begin to poke above ground and the vines start to yellow. If you know which variety you are growing, you can better estimate the harvest date by checking its expected days to maturity.
Harvesting and curing conditions are very important for long-term storage success. To begin curing properly, wait for a warm day above 55°F (13°C) with no chance of rain, as moisture exposure will slow the drying process of this root crop. Harvest well before your first frost date, since frost can severely injure sweet potatoes.
Harvest all plants at the same time, and compost the vines if they are disease-free. Start harvesting in the morning, ideally when several rain-free days are expected.
How To Harvest Sweet Potatoes
For backyard and homestead growers, there are two main ways to harvest sweet potatoes. The first is digging by hand, using small hand tools to gently extract the roots from the soil. This method allows you to feel around carefully and reduce the risk of damaging the tubers.
The second option is to use a garden fork. Insert the fork well outside the root zone and lift the soil, gradually working closer to the plant until the tubers are exposed.
Do not wash the roots immediately after harvest, tempting as it may be. It is fine to leave some soil on the sweet potatoes during the curing process. Simply brush off any large clumps of dirt before moving them to cure.
Curing Your Harvest
Immediately after harvesting, sweet potatoes need to be cured. During this process, starches convert to sugars, making the potatoes sweeter, while the roots also lose excess moisture. Flavor continues to develop over time after harvest, so some patience is required. This curing process is one of the reasons sweet potatoes store so well.
To cure sweet potatoes properly, leave them outside in the garden in the shade for the rest of the day after harvesting. A light breeze is helpful. That evening, move the tubers to an area with high humidity and allow them to cure for 7 to 14 days. Ideally, keep temperatures around 80°F (27°C). In cooler climates, extend the curing period by an additional week.
Storing Sweet Potatoes
There are several methods for storing these delicious roots. Depending on your conditions, choose the method that works best for you. Each option uses different techniques to prevent moisture from reaching the tubers, maintain cool temperatures, preferably around 60°F (16°C), and keep the roots dry throughout storage.
When done correctly, your harvest can last for several months or even a year.
Banking Method
The banking method of storing sweet potatoes is one of the more complex options, but it works especially well for small farm harvests. This method is done outdoors and involves building a hut-like structure that protects the potatoes from the elements without taking up valuable cellar space.
To begin, find a sloped area of land and dig a shallow hole about six feet across and one foot deep. Line the base of the hole with straw or dry leaves, then start layering the sweet potatoes, positioning their pointed ends facing up and down. Arrange the potatoes around an upright central rod to improve ventilation.
After completing one layer, add several inches of straw before creating the next layer. Continue alternating layers of potatoes and straw until all the sweet potatoes are used. Finish with a final layer of straw, then build a teepee-like structure around the pile using boards to protect it from the elements.
Cover the boards with mud to seal the structure. When constructed properly, this teepee-style storage can preserve sweet potatoes for several months, and in some cases up to a year.
Sand Method
The sand method helps block sunlight and other elements that may damage sweet potato roots. However, because this method does not allow for good ventilation, it is generally less recommended than other storage options.
Place sweet potatoes in a barrel or bucket that is opaque and does not allow light inside. Layer sand over the sweet potatoes, making sure the tubers do not touch one another. Store the container in a warm cellar.
Crates Or Boxes
To store sweet potatoes in crates or boxes, which is often the most accessible option, choose containers that allow for good airflow and layer the sweet potatoes inside. Aim for just one layer of sweet potatoes per box, and stack boxes in a way that maximizes ventilation.
Place cured tubers in a cool, dark room or closet with good airflow, such as a pantry or storage space. If there is any risk of light exposure, wrap individual sweet potatoes in newspaper to block light while still allowing air circulation. Ideal storage temperatures are between 55 to 60°F (13 to 16°C).
Freezing
A modern and more labor-intensive way to store sweet potatoes is by freezing them. This option works well for backyard gardeners with smaller harvests or access to a large freezer.
Sweet potatoes cannot be frozen immediately after harvest. Once the curing process is complete, peel, cut, and boil the tubers until they are fork tender. Freeze the sweet potatoes, either cut or mashed, immediately after boiling. This method is especially useful for preparing sweet potato fries or portioned baby food in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you eat sweet potatoes right after harvest?
While the tubers are edible, they are not yet very sweet. Wait at least 10 days for the sugars to develop before eating for optimal taste.
How many sweet potatoes do you get from one plant?
This depends a lot on growing conditions. Many healthy plants produce 8 sweet potatoes per plant, but the size of the tuber will depend on the health of the soil, and the length of time in the ground.
