Red sweet potatoes are the most common variety of sweet potatoes.
Sweet potatoes come in a variety of colors, and red sweet potatoes are sometimes referred to as "pink." Red sweet potatoes are the most common variety and also contain the highest amount of vitamin A. Sweet potatoes grow best in environments with a long frost-free season, which is why they are a common ingredient in southern cooking. Despite the name, sweet potatoes are actually not potatoes, and they are not yams, either. Sweet potatoes are from the Morning Glory family and sometimes produce flowers that resemble the ornamental Morning Glory.
Instructions
1. Prepare your garden for the red sweet potato. Make sure the soil is sandy and plenty of sun is available. The hotter the location, the better. Ensure you have a lot of space in your garden, because the sweet potato vine needs a lot of room to grow. Start planting sweet potatoes three to four weeks after the last frost date.
2. Use about one foot of a sweet potato vine. Remove all leaves from the vine except for on the tip.
3. Cover the vine with a layer of soil, except for the very tip that contains the leaves. Each leaf node will root into the soil. As the vine grows, each leaf node will continue to grow roots.
4. Space each vine 12 to 18 inches apart.
5. Water the plants immediately to ensure the roots have good contact with the soil.
6. Wait four to six months for the sweet potatoes to mature.
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