Harvesting Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes should be harvested no later than the first fall freeze because cold temperatures can damage the sensitive roots.  We harvest ours a little earlier than that  because we like smaller sweet potatoes.  

Sweet potatoes should be cured after being dug.  The digging process often damages the tender skin, and curing helps small wounds heal.  Immediately after digging, place the sweet potatoes in a warm location, (85 degrees or so) for at least 5 days.   The curing helps heal wounds as well as helping convert starches to sugars.

After curing, sweet potatoes should be stored above 55 degrees. Storage temperatures below that injures roots and shortens storage life.