In Ohio, the first frost date is approaching in mid-October, signaling the time to harvest sweet potatoes. To ensure optimal flavor and storage, sweet potatoes should be cured for 7-10 days in a warm, humid environment before being stored in a cool, dark place with high humidity. The tubers can be eaten after curing or develop more sugars after six weeks in storage. Sweet potatoes can also be frozen or canned if long-term storage is not possible.
Are you getting ready for your sweet potato harvest? As the frost date approaches, it’s time to start thinking about digging up those delicious tubers. Sweet potatoes are typically ready for harvesting when the foliage begins to yellow and die back, usually about three to four months after planting, depending on the variety. In northern areas, they can even be left in the ground until the first fall frost.
When it’s time to harvest, start by gently digging or forking around the base of the plant, about 8 to 10 inches from the main stem. Be careful not to nick or pierce the tubers while digging them up. And if you manage to get all your sweet potatoes out of the ground without any damage, let us in on your secret!
Once you’ve harvested your sweet potatoes, it’s time to cure them for long-term storage and optimal flavor. Curing allows the tubers to heal from any cuts or bruises sustained during harvesting, protects them from storage diseases, and enhances their flavor. Ideally, sweet potatoes should be cured at 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit with 85-90% humidity and good air circulation.
If you don’t have the perfect curing environment, don’t worry – you can create a makeshift curing space using plastic bags or containers with ventilation holes. Leave your sweet potatoes to cure for 7-10 days until they’re firm to the touch. Remove any potatoes showing signs of rot before storing them in a cool, dark place with a temperature of 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit and 80-85% humidity.
If you plan on eating your sweet potatoes within a month or two, air-drying them for a couple of weeks at 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit should do the trick. And if you don’t have an ideal storage space, don’t fret! Sweet potatoes can easily be frozen or canned for later use.
So, are you ready to dig up your sweet potato harvest? Let us know in the comments below. And if you found this guide helpful, consider subscribing to our channel, Growfully with Jenna, for more gardening tips and tricks. Happy harvesting!
