I am thinking of trying sweet potatoes this year. Does anyone know how they tolerate cool night time temperatures in the 45-50 degree range?
I don’t know that. WE haven’t really done sweet potatoes before.
In case no one has answered; I didn’t read all the posts, yet!
We’ve grown Sweet Potatoes in Zone 4, SW Wisconsin.
The trick is to have warm soil for them right off the bat, so cover a sunny space with black plastic and check your soil temps before planting. The soil needs to be at 65-70 degrees, and you still need a minimum of 90 days of growing season after that.
Cut an ‘X’ in the black plastic, plant your Sweet Potato slip in that spot, and mulch generously with straw. Adequate water, but no more than you would for regular potatoes. 1” of water per week is enough.
P.S. Throw a handful of 8-24-24 granular fertilizer in the planting hole, too!
You want to DENY high Nitrogen to Taters; you’ll get all leaves and no tubers!