Author Topic: Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) as a winter crop in 9b?  (Read 1057 times)

BenG

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 56
    • Menlo Park, California (Zone 9b)
    • View Profile
Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) as a winter crop in 9b?
« on: June 21, 2021, 07:36:36 PM »
I'm in California. I'm wondering if I could plant sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) as a winter crop and have them overwinter?

pineislander

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2199
    • Bokeelia, FL
    • View Profile
Re: Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) as a winter crop in 9b?
« Reply #1 on: June 22, 2021, 07:17:07 PM »
Only if frost free. They will slow down dramatically when it gets cool. They love heat. Most are only 120-180 day crops and saving tubers through winter isn't a problem.
 

Galatians522

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1824
    • Florida 9b
    • View Profile
Re: Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) as a winter crop in 9b?
« Reply #2 on: June 22, 2021, 09:45:15 PM »
Regular potatoes should do better over the cooler months. Then you can use the same space to grow sweet potatoes in the warm season.

BenG

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 56
    • Menlo Park, California (Zone 9b)
    • View Profile
Re: Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) as a winter crop in 9b?
« Reply #3 on: June 24, 2021, 11:15:23 AM »
Okay, sorry. Just wanted to see if I could start them now, but apparently not.

Galatians522

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1824
    • Florida 9b
    • View Profile
Re: Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) as a winter crop in 9b?
« Reply #4 on: June 24, 2021, 08:35:18 PM »
According to my chart, February through June is the planting season for sweet potatoes in Florida zone 9b (California probably has a narrower window to plant because of cooler temps). I think you can still plant after that, but yield will be reduced for each month you go past June.