Sweet potatoes are warm-weather crops, unique because they are not grown from seeds or traditional tubers, but rather from vegetative sprouts known as slips. Slips are cuttings taken from a mature root, and they are the starting point for cultivating the edible storage roots. Successfully transitioning these delicate starts into the garden requires specific attention to soil, technique, and post-planting care. This guide provides the necessary instructions for successfully replanting sweet potato slips to ensure a productive harvest.
Site and Soil Preparation
Sweet potato plants thrive in a location that receives full, direct sunlight for at least six to eight hours each day. Soil temperature is the most significant environmental consideration, which must be reliably warm before replanting. Planting should be delayed until the soil temperature, measured at a depth of four inches, consistently holds at a minimum of 60°F (15°C); 65°F (18°C) is preferable for faster establishment.
These storage roots require a loose, well-draining medium to expand properly, so heavy or compacted clay soil must be avoided. To ensure adequate drainage and space for root formation, create raised planting beds or individual mounds. Mounds should be built up to a height of 8 to 10 inches and have a base width of about 12 to 15 inches.
Before forming the beds, incorporate aged compost or other rich organic matter into the soil to improve structure and provide a balanced nutritional base. Sweet potatoes benefit from moderate fertility, but avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen. Excessive nitrogen encourages the plant to focus energy on producing lush, leafy vines instead of developing storage roots.
The Physical Replanting Process
When handling sweet potato slips, care is necessary to avoid damaging the tender roots and fragile stems. It is advisable to “harden off” the slips by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for several days prior to transplanting. This acclimation process reduces the shock of moving them from a protected environment into the garden soil.
The correct planting technique involves burying the majority of the slip’s stem to encourage root development along the buried portion. Only the top section, containing the newest two to four leaves, should remain exposed above the soil line. Carefully spread out the small, fibrous roots at the base of the slip in the planting hole rather than allowing them to become bunched up.
Proper spacing allows for good air circulation and root development. Space individual slips approximately 12 to 18 inches apart along the center of the prepared mounds or raised beds. If planting in multiple rows, ensure the rows or mounds are spaced 3 to 4 feet apart to accommodate the sprawling vine growth.
For those planting in containers, select a minimum size of 10 to 15 gallons per plant to provide enough volume for the storage roots to fully develop. Once the slip is positioned, gently firm the soil around the base of the stem using your hands. This eliminates trapped air pockets, which can rapidly dry out the newly planted roots and impede establishment.
Ensuring Successful Establishment
Immediately following replanting, a thorough, deep watering is necessary to settle the soil around the newly placed roots. This initial saturation ensures the root system has intimate contact with the surrounding moist medium, which is fundamental for water and nutrient uptake. New slips are susceptible to transplant shock, often appearing wilted for the first few days as they adjust to their new location.
During the first week, maintain a frequent, shallow watering schedule to mitigate the effects of shock until signs of recovery are observed. New leaf growth indicates the plant has successfully established its root system and is beginning active growth. Once new foliage appears, the frequency of watering can be reduced, though the soil should never be allowed to dry out completely.
If replanting coincides with excessive heat or intense sun, providing temporary shading for the first few afternoons can be beneficial. Using lightweight row covers or shade cloth protects the tender leaves from scorching until the root system is robust enough to support the plant under full sun. This minimizes stress and conserves the plant’s energy for root establishment.
Vigilance against common pests is important during this early establishment phase, as young, stressed plants are vulnerable. Monitor the soil for wireworms, which bore into stems, or the leaves for flea beetles, which create small holes. Keeping the area weed-free during the first few weeks is also important, as weeds aggressively compete with the young plants for water and nutrients, stunting early growth.