Well the plants have done well, at least on top. They spread over a good sized area, and have been flowering. My question is when should I harvest them? Most of what I read is for outdoor growing, and they talk about digging them just before a frost hits. Well I don't expect it will get below freezing in the GH for another couple of months, if ever. Should I just wait and leave them grow as long as possible? Or is there an optimum time to harvest sweet potatoes?

Thoughts?

A couple of weeks ago at the farmers market, people were selling the new leaf tips as cooking greens (they're kind of like spinach). They went through and cut the greens before digging the sweet potatoes.

As a side note, once I dug up the main rows I left intact the trailing vines which re-rooted and now I may have more out there to possibly harvest before first frost. Will wait and see if this is true or not. Be nice to get a 2nd crop even if they are smaller.

I have an area that gets about 4 hours over direct sun and I left them in the ground 150 days. They were smaller than the ones in direct sun Ibut still very desirable in size.

I saw some mention eating the leaves (greens) If you can post that recipe I would love to try it it.

Does anyone have tips for curing them on a small scale? I've been reading about giving them heat and humidity to form sugars. If I put them in my detached garage that gets very warm in the daytime (the sun beats in the windows and onto the roof) under a sheet with a pan of water nearby will it work even if the temps go down into the 50s at night? Thanks!

What I like to do is put them in a large clear plastic tub.
Put a wet rag in the corn of the tub. I generally, dont let any of the taters touch it. Cover it and put outside for 10-14 days.
If it has already cooled I stick them near a wind with direct sunlight but cover the tub with a black cloth.
The black cloth will draw the sun and protect them from direct sunlight. Same applies on durations 10-14 days.
Take the lid off and let fresh air in daily.

After the 10-14 day period I remove the cover and rag and place in a cool area for 6-8 weeks.

Good luck and let me know how it turns out for you.
If you have any questions please let me know.

Shayne

Shayne, sounds like letting them cool off, like at night, is fine for the curing process (as long as it doesn't get too cold, whatever temp that is). Any idea how hot does it get in your black cloth covered container during the days in the sun? Just wondering what the "acceptable" temp range is and the ideal here.

TIA

Good question

It gets about 78-82 in the container when I set it in the window.
I should note that the sun hits that window for about 4 hours a day.

When outside they are on the porch there is no direct light. I it gets below 70 I bring them inside.

The ideal curing environment is 80F degrees and 80% humidity for 10 days. I do a little longer since the temp fluctuates

Keep in mind most of the starch to sugar proccess takes place when you let them sit for 2 months.

The 10-14 days is when most of the healing takes place. Any scratches heal during this time.
Shayne.