Sweet Potato

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…

Companion planting can make a meaningful difference in your sweet potato harvest—especially when it comes to managing soil, conserving moisture, and reducing pests. Over the years in my Sonoma Valley garden, I’ve learned which plants naturally support sweet potatoes and which ones compete or cause trouble. Sweet potatoes grow vigorously, but they benefit from the…

Sweet potatoes are tough, heat-loving plants, but even seasoned gardeners like me encounter pests and diseases that can reduce yield or damage tubers. After decades growing sweet potatoes in Sonoma Valley—both in raised beds and containers—I’ve learned that early detection, proper soil management, and organic methods are the keys to a successful, chemical-free harvest. Here’s…