While it is extra dry, they need more water. Also the temperature figures into things here. Plastic holds in moisture...for a while. Then it is drier under nonirrigated plastic...very dry. I hold the hose under the plastic hole where the plants are for about 10 seconds on each hole every 3 days or less.

Later when the roots are sizing up and nearer harvest, lighten up on water so as to not encourage fungal disease on the roots.

Thanks Wayne! I will be out there tomorrow watering. I like your way of sticking the hose under the plastic instead of my way of filling a watering can 10 times, very tedious.

I am growing sweet potatoes for the first time. Our weather, which features cool nights, makes this difficult. I am growing them under a small plastic tunnel which I close at night to preserve heat.

I have read the SP should be watered with warm water. The shock of cold water, even in a climate such as yours, will set them back. I am accomplishing this by watering from a long hose left in the sun.

My plants are well behind yours. They are just beginning to take off. Good luck to you...it looks like you have a fine patch!

My sweetpotatoes generally need set back then as they tend to get too big.

I have not found much on the amount of water needed. like 1" every two weeks or 1" a week. Is there any guidelines , not finding it on the web. should you wait till they get a littly wilty looking? thanks for any help. They started looking a little limp but we did get some rain this week and now they look Ok. I want to put soaker hose down the row and give controlled watering. Thanks for any help

I like wayne_5, watering plan.
But I watered my ST twice a week with the tomatoes.

I tend to think they don't need much water. I've grown them twice. This year I have a small patch, and they're growing under black landscape fabric. It's been hot and dry here too, but I haven't watered them much at all, and they haven't wilted and seem to be growing well as ever. Since I read this thread a few days ago, I gave them more water.....the warm water from the hose sitting in the sun. What's nice about the fabric is that the water soaks right through.