If you’re looking for a delicious and unique-tasting potato, the Japanese sweet potato is a great option.
This type of potato is often used in Asian cuisine, and has a slightly sweeter flavor than traditional potatoes.
Japanese sweet potatoes are also very nutritious, and a good source of vitamins A and C.
If you’re interested in learning how to plant Japanese sweet potatoes, read on for some tips.
Japanese sweet potatoes need a well drained soil that gets at least six hours of direct sunshine per day. Plant the slips in soil that has been loosened to 12 inches and keep well watered. After 90 to 120 days your Japanese sweet potatoes will be ready to harvest.
Japanese sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) and known as Satsumaimo in Japan, are becoming a more popular garden crop, and for good reason.
These sweet tubers are easy to grow, and they produce a prolific harvest under the right conditions.
They are also high in nutrients and antioxidants, making them a healthy addition to any diet.
How to grow Japanese sweet potatoes
Choose a sunny spot in your garden that has well-drained soil.
Japanese sweet potatoes need at least six hours of direct sunlight per day in order to thrive.
Prepare the soil by loosening it to a depth of 12 inches. This will help the roots of the Japanese sweet potato slips to establish themselves more easily.
Water the soil well before planting, and then water regularly during the growing season.
Japanese sweet potatoes are drought-tolerant, but they will produce a better crop if they receive consistent moisture and you should provide them with around one inch of water weekly.
If conditions are dry then increase the watering until the soil surface is moist but not waterlogged.
In wet weather you can reduce the watering accordingly.
When should you plant Japanese sweet potatoes?
Plant the slips in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked.
Space them 12 to 18 inches apart, and plant them at a depth of three to four inches.
If you live in an area with a long growing season, you can plant Japanese sweet potatoes again in late summer for a fall crop.
When are Japanese sweet potatoes ready to harvest?
Japanese sweet potatoes are ready to harvest around 90 to 120 days after planting.
Use a garden fork to loosen the soil around the tubers, being careful not to damage them.
Then carefully lift them out of the ground and brush off any excess dirt.
Place the Japanese sweet potatoes in a cool, dark place until you’re ready to use them.
Can you cut a sweet potato in half and plant it?
Yes, you can cut a sweet potato in half and plant it.
Simply place the sweet potato halves in a sunny location with well-drained soil and water regularly.
In about two to three weeks, you should see new growth appearing.
Once the slips are around six inches tall, you can then transplant them to your garden.
Can Japanese sweet potatoes be grown in pots?
Yes, you can grow Japanese sweet potatoes in pots.
Choose a pot that is at least 12 inches wide and 18 inches deep.
Fill the pot with well-drained soil, and plant the slips as you would in the ground.
Water regularly, and fertilize every few weeks with a high-quality fertilizer.
Your Japanese sweet potatoes should be ready to harvest in about 90 to 120 days.
Can you grow Japanese sweet potato in pots indoors?
Yes, you can grow Japanese sweet potatoes indoors in pots.
Keep the pots in a well lit spot, such as a sunny windowsill, and keep them well watered.
Plants grown indoors will be prone to drying out more quickly than those outside so monitor the soil carefully to prevent it from becoming too dry.
What is the best type of soil for a Japanese sweet potato?
The best type of soil for a Japanese sweet potato is well-drained soil.
This will help to prevent the tubers from rotting.
If your soil is heavy or clay-like, you can improve drainage by adding organic matter, such as compost or manure.
You can also raise the bed by adding a layer of sand or gravel underneath the soil.
Can I plant a Japanese sweet potato from the grocery store?
Yes, you can plant a Japanese sweet potato from the grocery store.
Be sure to choose a smooth-skinned variety, as those with rough skin are more likely to be treated with sprout inhibitors.
You will also need to cut the tuber into pieces, making sure that each piece has at least two eyes or buds.
Plant as above and you’ll be ready to enjoy your own sweet potato in a few weeks.
What type of fertilizer should I use on a Japanese sweet potato?
You can use any type of fertilizer on a Japanese sweet potato, but a high-quality fertilizer will give the best results.
Apply the fertilizer according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and be sure to water it in well.
A general rule of thumb is to fertilize every two to three weeks during the growing season.
What pests or diseases are common on Japanese sweet potatoes?
Japanese sweet potatoes are relatively pest and disease free.
However, they can be affected by nematodes, which are tiny parasitic worms that live in the soil and feed on plant roots.
Symptoms of nematode damage include yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and poor yields.
Are Japanese sweet potatoes the same as Chinese yams?
No, Japanese sweet potatoes and Chinese yams are not the same.
Japanese sweet potatoes are native to Japan and have been grown there for centuries.
They were introduced to China in the early 1800s, and they quickly became popular.
Chinese yams (Dioscorea opposita), on the other hand, are native to China and have been cultivated there for over 2,000 years.
Though they share a similar appearance, taste, and texture, Chinese yams are actually more closely related to true yams than to sweet potatoes.
Are Japanese sweet potatoes the same as regular sweet potatoes?
No, Japanese sweet potatoes and regular sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are not the same.
Japanese sweet potatoes are native to Japan and have been grown there for centuries.
They were introduced to the United States in the late 1800s, and they quickly became popular.
Regular sweet potatoes, on the other hand, are native to Central and South America and have been cultivated there for thousands of years.
Though they share a similar appearance, taste, and texture, regular sweet potatoes are actually more closely related to morning glories (Ipomoea spp.) than to Japanese sweet potatoes.
What is the nutritional value of a Japanese sweet potato?
Japanese sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and manganese.
They are also a good source of dietary fiber and copper.
One cup of cooked Japanese sweet potato contains approximately:
– Calories: 130
– Protein: 2 grams
– Carbohydrates: 30 grams
– Dietary fiber: 4 grams
– Sugar: 6 grams
– Fat: 0 grams
– Vitamin A: 9% of the Daily Value (DV)
– Vitamin C: 34% of the DV
– Potassium: 8% of the DV
– Manganese: 14% of the DV
– Copper: 10% of the DV
– Vitamin B6: 6% of the DV
– Folate: 6% of the DV
– Pantothenic acid: 5% of the DV
– Iron: 4% of the DV
– magnesium: 4% of the DV
How do I cook a Japanese sweet potato?
Japanese sweet potatoes can be cooked in any way that regular sweet potatoes can be cooked.
They can be baked, roasted, grilled, mashed, or even eaten raw.
When cooking, be sure to not overcook them as they will become mushy.
Here are some tips on how to cook Japanese sweet potatoes:
– Baking: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Cut sweet potatoes into desired shape and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until tender.
– Roasting: Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Cut sweet potatoes into desired shape and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast for 30-35 minutes, or until tender.
– Grilling: Cut sweet potatoes into desired shape andThread onto skewers (if using wooden skewers, soak in water for 30 minutes before grilling). Grill over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, or until tender.
– Mashing: Boil sweet potatoes until fork-tender. Mash with a potato masher or an immersion blender. Add desired seasonings and enjoy!
– Raw: Japanese sweet potatoes can be eaten raw, but they may be slightly more starchy than regular sweet potatoes. I
f you choose to eat them raw, I recommend slicing or julienning them into thin strips and adding them to salads.
Final Words
Japanese sweet potatoes are a delicious and nutritious addition to any diet.
They are easy to grow, and can be grown in both pots and in the ground.
Give them as much sunlight as possible and keep them well watered and you will be sure to have a bountiful crop of these tasty tubers.
