- 1). Spread a fertilizer with a NPK amount of 10-10-10 (10 percent nitrogen, 10 percent phosphorus and 10 percent potassium) over the newly planted sweet potato bed. An all-purpose fertilizer prevents excessive growth that encourages pests and fungal diseases.
- 2). Water the sweet potato bed, so that the soil is moist but not extremely wet. Cover the bed with a piece of clear plastic to keep the soil warm. Punch holes in the plastic to reduce carbon monoxide buildup. Remove the plastic when the seedlings grow to 1 inch.
- 3). Apply 11 oz. of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet three weeks after transplanting your sweet potatoes. Water the area after supplying the nitrogen to keep from burning up your sweet potato vine plants.
- 4). Dig at least 1 foot away from the plant to push sweet potatoes through the soil. Slip your garden fork or spade underneath the sweet potato when it is ready to harvest. Sweet potatoes are ready to harvest 90 to 120 days after planting. Choose a time when the soil is dry to make harvesting easier.
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