Tuber Vegetables

Raised beds are ideal for sweet potatoes, especially in regions with heavier soils or shorter growing seasons. Over decades of growing sweet potatoes in Sonoma Valley, I’ve found that proper soil depth, organic amendments, and spacing make the difference between small roots and large, sweet, well-formed tubers. This experience-based guide shows exactly how to set…

Sweet potatoes are one of the most rewarding warm-season crops you can grow. I’ve planted sweet potatoes for years in my Sonoma Valley beds—long, hot summers, loose soil, and consistent water make for heavy yields and richly flavored tubers. But even if your climate differs, you can still get fast, dependable success by starting with…

Sweet potatoes thrive when they receive consistent, deep moisture—not too much and not too little. After three decades growing sweet potatoes in raised beds, mounded rows, and large containers, I’ve learned that water management is one of the biggest keys to harvest size. Unlike many vegetables, sweet potatoes are actually drought-tolerant, but they’ll only produce…

Sweet potatoes don’t need heavy feeding, but the right organic nutrients at the right times can dramatically improve vine vigor and tuber size. After more than three decades growing sweet potatoes in warm Sonoma Valley summers, I’ve learned that too much nitrogen leads to lush vines and small roots—while balanced organic feeding keeps tubers big,…

Sweet potatoes may seem like low-maintenance plants, but the way you care for them throughout the growing season directly affects tuber size, flavor, and overall yield. After decades of growing sweet potatoes in my warm Sonoma Valley garden—both in raised beds and wide-row mounds—I’ve learned that training the vines, using mulch wisely, and managing growth…

Growing sweet potatoes in containers is one of the most reliable ways to get smooth, well-shaped roots—especially if you garden in a small space, have heavy soil, or want to warm the soil quickly in spring. I’ve grown sweet potatoes in large containers for years alongside my raised beds in Sonoma, and the results are…