A Comprehensive Guide to Harvesting, Curing, and Storing Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a rewarding crop to grow in your garden, providing delicious, nutrient-packed tubers that can be used in a variety of dishes. Knowing when and how to harvest, cure, and store sweet potatoes is essential for enjoying their full flavor and ensuring they last for months. In this guide, we’ll walk you through every step of the process, from recognizing the right time to harvest, to drying and curing them properly, and finally, the best storage practices.

When to Harvest Sweet Potatoes

Timing is everything when it comes to harvesting sweet potatoes. Harvesting too early or too late can affect the flavor and shelf life of your crop.

1. Growing Time Frame: Sweet potatoes typically take between 90 to 120 days to mature, depending on the variety and growing conditions. If you kept track of when you planted, you can calculate the approximate time they should be ready.
2. Watch for Signs: One of the first indicators that your sweet potatoes are ready for harvest is the foliage. Once the leaves and vines start to yellow and die back, it’s a strong sign that your sweet potatoes are approaching maturity. Another good indication is when you notice cracks forming on the soil surface near the plants, showing that the sweet potatoes have bulked up underground.
3. Frost Warning: It’s crucial to harvest sweet potatoes before the first frost hits. A hard frost can damage the tubers, reducing their quality and causing them to rot in storage. In regions where frost arrives early, it’s better to harvest a little sooner rather than risking frost damage.
4. Test Digging: If you’re unsure if your sweet potatoes are ready, try digging up one or two plants as a test. Look for tubers that are about the size you prefer for eating, but also consider the texture and color. If they seem fully formed, it’s time to harvest the entire crop.

How to Harvest Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are tender and can bruise or break easily, so careful handling during the harvest is key.

1. Tools You’ll Need:
   • A digging fork or shovel
   • A pair of gloves
   • A bucket or a wheelbarrow to collect the tubers
2. Digging Them Up: Begin by loosening the soil around the base of each sweet potato plant with a fork or shovel, working carefully to avoid damaging the tubers. Start digging about 12-18 inches away from the plant to give yourself some room. Slowly work your way in toward the plant, lifting the soil and gently uncovering the sweet potatoes. Once exposed, pull the tubers out by hand, shaking off excess soil.
3. Handle with Care: Sweet potatoes are very delicate right after harvesting and can easily bruise, which will lead to quicker spoilage. Handle them gently, avoiding throwing or dropping them into buckets or onto the ground. After harvesting, lay them out on the soil surface for a short time to allow them to dry off in the sun for a few hours before curing.

Curing Sweet Potatoes

Curing is an essential step in preparing sweet potatoes for long-term storage. It helps heal any minor cuts or bruises they might have sustained during harvest and allows the starches to convert to sugars, improving flavor.

1. Why Cure Sweet Potatoes? Curing is crucial because it enhances the flavor and extends the shelf life of your sweet potatoes. The process toughens up the skin, reducing the chance of spoilage. During curing, the starches in the tubers also turn into sugars, making the sweet potatoes much sweeter and more flavorful. For more detailed information on organic sweet potato production and management, you can check out this comprehensive guide on sweet potato production from NC State Extension.
2. Ideal Curing Conditions: Sweet potatoes should be cured in a warm, humid environment to allow them to heal and sweeten properly.
   • Temperature: Between 80-85°F (27-29°C)
   • Humidity: 85-90%
   To achieve this, you can cure sweet potatoes in a warm, sheltered place, such as a garage, greenhouse, or even inside your home if you have a warm, well-ventilated spot. Lay them out in a single layer in a dark area, and avoid piling them up, as this can lead to rot.
3. Curing Duration: Curing typically takes about 7-14 days. The skins of the sweet potatoes will toughen, and any minor wounds will heal during this time. If the temperature or humidity isn’t ideal, curing can take longer, but it’s worth waiting to ensure the best flavor and storability.

Storing Sweet Potatoes

Once your sweet potatoes have been properly cured, it’s time to think about storage. Correct storage will allow you to enjoy your harvest for months, sometimes all the way until your next growing season!

1. Temperature and Humidity:
   • Storage Temperature: Store sweet potatoes in a cool, dry, and dark place. The ideal temperature for storage is between 55-60°F (13-16°C). Temperatures below 50°F can cause chilling injury, leading to decay, while temperatures above 60°F may cause sprouting.
   • Humidity: You’ll want a humidity level of around 60-70% to prevent the sweet potatoes from drying out or rotting. Too much moisture can encourage mold growth, and too little can cause the sweet potatoes to shrivel.
2. Ventilation: Proper airflow is important to keep your sweet potatoes in good condition. Store them in crates, baskets, or breathable burlap bags. Avoid sealing them in plastic bags or airtight containers, as this can trap moisture and cause them to spoil.
3. Storage Space: If you don’t have a root cellar, other suitable storage locations include an unheated basement, a cool pantry, or even a closet in a cooler part of the house. Wherever you store them, ensure it’s dark, as exposure to light can cause them to sprout.
4. Regular Checkups: Throughout the storage period, check your sweet potatoes regularly for signs of spoilage. Remove any that have soft spots, sprouting, or signs of mold to prevent them from affecting the rest of the batch.

Other Tips for Storing Sweet Potatoes

1. Don’t Refrigerate: Sweet potatoes should never be refrigerated. Cold temperatures can negatively affect their flavor and cause them to become hard in the center.
2. Storing Cooked Sweet Potatoes: If you prefer to cook and store sweet potatoes, you can refrigerate them for up to a week in an airtight container. You can also freeze cooked sweet potatoes for longer-term storage. Freezing raw sweet potatoes, however, is not recommended, as they will lose their texture when thawed.

Using Your Sweet Potatoes

Once your sweet potatoes have been harvested, cured, and stored, you can enjoy them for months in a variety of ways. Here are a few ideas for how to use your harvest:

1. Roasting: Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes. Try cutting them into wedges, tossing with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roasting at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes until golden and crispy.
2. Mashing: For a comforting side dish, boil peeled sweet potatoes until tender, then mash them with butter, milk, and a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg.
3. Baking: Whole baked sweet potatoes make an excellent and nutritious meal. Simply scrub the potatoes, poke a few holes in them, and bake in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 45-60 minutes.
4. Soups and Stews: Sweet potatoes are perfect in hearty soups and stews, adding a touch of sweetness to savory dishes. Add cubed sweet potatoes to your favorite soup recipe or try a creamy sweet potato bisque.
5. Sweet Potato Fries: For a healthier alternative to regular fries, slice sweet potatoes into thin strips, toss with olive oil and seasoning, and bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes until crispy.

Conclusion

Sweet potatoes are a versatile and nutritious crop that rewards you long after the harvest. By understanding the right time to harvest, the importance of curing, and proper storage techniques, you can enjoy sweet potatoes for months to come. Whether roasted, mashed, or baked, these delicious tubers will add flavor and nutrition to your meals throughout the winter season.

By taking the time to cure and store your sweet potatoes correctly, you can not only extend their shelf life but also improve their flavor. And with a little patience and care, you’ll have a steady supply of homegrown sweet potatoes for months to come, ready to be enjoyed in a variety of recipes.