Finally Harvesting Sweet Potatoes

This year, I experimented with extending the sweet potato growing season, and it’s been a game-changer. By planting earlier and harvesting later, I gave the tubers more time to mature, resulting in an impressive yield. Here’s a step-by-step look at my process and what made this year special.

The Benefits of a Longer Growing Season

Sweet potatoes thrive in warm weather, so giving them a few extra weeks to grow meant the tubers had more time to bulk up. The earlier planting allowed the vines to establish themselves before the intense heat of summer, and the later harvest maximized their development.

Harvesting Sweet Potatoes: My Method

Prepare the Raised Bed
Sweet potatoes love spreading out, and so do the critters that share my garden. I start by cutting back all the leaves so that those critters can find a new home before I begin digging in the beds.
Remove the Vines
Once the leaves are gone, and I've ensured that the frogs, lizards, and bees are gone, I pull away the vines. This reveals some of the sweet potatoes, as many stay attached to the vines when pulled.
Dig and Sift
Not all the tubers come up with the vines, so the next step is to dig into the soil and sift through it to find the remaining potatoes.

Why This Year Was Unique

The extended growing season wasn’t the only thing that stood out. Watching the ecosystem of the raised bed flourish reminded me of the harmony between gardening and wildlife. Sweet potato season may be wrapping up for now, but this year’s success has me already planning for next season. Have you tried extending your growing season?

For a closer look at my process, check out my video on YouTube, where I dive into more details and show the harvest in action.

Finally Harvesting Sweet Potatoes