How to Harvest and Store Sweet Potatoes

Use cut pieces and damaged roots as soon as possible; do not store damaged roots. Store sweet potatoes in a single layer; wrap the tubers individually in newspaper. The tubers should keep for 4 to 6 months in a spot that is 55° to 65°F.

How do you cure sweet potatoes for storage?
How do you preserve sweet potatoes for the future?
How long before sweet potatoes can be harvested?
Can sweet potatoes be cut and peeled ahead of time?
Should you wash sweet potatoes before storing?
How long can sweet potatoes stay in the fridge?
How do you store sweet potatoes long term?
Can I freeze sweet potato raw?
How do you store sweet potatoes in the freezer?
What happens if you don't harvest sweet potatoes?
What to do after harvesting sweet potatoes?
How many sweet potatoes do you get from one plant?

How do you cure sweet potatoes for storage?

Cure sweet potatoes by holding them for about 10 days at 80-85°F and high relative humidity (85-90 percent). In the absence of better facilities, they can be cured between 65-75°F for 2-3 weeks.

How do you preserve sweet potatoes for the future?

Cure sweet potatoes by keeping them at 80 to 85 degrees F and a humidity of 85 to 90 percent. After curing, wash well. Cook before freezing; wrap in freezer wrap, place in freezer bags or vacuum package. If sweet potatoes are sliced or pureed, leave ½ inch of headspace.

How long before sweet potatoes can be harvested?

Typically, most varieties will take about three to four months to mature – about 90 to 120 days, but there are some newer varieties that take less time and bred specifically for northern climates (such as Georgia Jet, Vardaman, Centennial). Some growers have mixes specifically for northern gardens.

Can sweet potatoes be cut and peeled ahead of time?

Cutting sweet potatoes in advance is a great way to meal-prep your way to an easier weeknight dinner. You can absolutely cut sweet potatoes a day or two in advance, but make sure to store them in cold water in the refrigerator. Otherwise, they'll dry out pretty quickly after they're cut.

Should you wash sweet potatoes before storing?

Some recommend washing and rinsing potatoes prior to storage. This could easily lead to rot, with too much moisture left on the sweet potatoes. If the dirt on the sweet potatoes is an issue with storing, use a dry cloth to remove any excess dirt after harvesting.

How long can sweet potatoes stay in the fridge?

Cooked sweet potatoes can last in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. To make them last longer — store sweet potatoes in an airtight plastic bag or container.

How do you store sweet potatoes long term?

Store in a cool, dark location.

For best results, store the sweet potatoes in a basement or root cellar. ...
Do not use a refrigerator.
Monitor the temperature frequently to make sure that it does not fall below or rise above this range.
Stored in this manner, the sweet potatoes can last up to 6 months.

Can I freeze sweet potato raw?

Can you freeze sweet potatoes raw? Unfortunately the answer is no. Sweet potatoes along with most potatoes have a high water content so they do not freeze well until they are cooked. Freezing raw sweet potatoes will make them watery, mushy and likely to get freezer burnt quickly.

How do you store sweet potatoes in the freezer?

All you have to do is warm them up.

Heat the oven to 375 F. ...
Scrub the sweet potatoes, poke each in a few places with a fork, and place on the oven rack.
Bake the sweet potatoes for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until tender. ...
Wrap the cooled sweet potatoes in foil and freeze them whole in freezer bags for up to 12 months.

What happens if you don't harvest sweet potatoes?

But, if you wait until there is significant, visible frost-kill of the vines, the sweet potatoes you dig will be compromised. They will look and taste fine when first harvested, but their long-term storage potential is reduced.

What to do after harvesting sweet potatoes?

Sweet potatoes must be cured after harvest and before they are stored. After digging, allow the roots to dry for two to three hours. Don't leave them out overnight where cooler temperatures and moisture can damage them. Once the surface is dry, move them to a warm, dry, and well ventilated place for 10 to 14 days.

How many sweet potatoes do you get from one plant?

In warmer climates, gardeners sometimes harvest eight or more tubers per sweet potato plant. My own climate is a bit cool for sweet potatoes, but I still grow them because they are delicious, nutritious, easy to store, and grow like crazy in unusually warm summers.