Hotbeds

Hot beds are used to grow the thousands of transplants, or slips, that are needed for the field production. They act as mini greenhouses so that the plants are ready for the field in time for spring planting.

Harvest

Usually starting 100 to 130 days after transplanting, the crop is harvested using specialized digging equipment. Tractors pull large harvesters that lift the sweetpotatoes out of the ground, and then move them along a conveyor belt, where they are sorted by hand and placed into bins.

Transplanting

Sweet potato slips are planted into the fields using specialized equipment that creates a slot, drops the plant into the ground, waters it, they pushes the soil back in place, all in one operation. Transplanters use a lot of water-often as much as 2,000 gallons per acre. Sweetpotatoes need light (sandy), well drained soil for best production.

Storage

In a typical year, 90% of the crop is stored before it is packed and shipped to the markets. Potatoes are stored in large shed at about 60° F and 85% relative humidity. Under these conditions, sweetpotatoes can be stored so they are available year-round.

Irrigation

In California, most sweet potatoes are furrow irrigated, but about one-third of the production acres use drip irrigation. This technique applies water very uniformly and allows the farmer to also apply fertilizer during the growing season.

Marketing

Most California sweetpotatoes are sold for the fresh market, predominantly in the Western U.S. Most are consumed on major holidays, but the delicious sweetpotato can be served and enjoyed at any time of the year.

Weed & Insect Pests

There are few chemical allowed for use on sweetpotatoes grown in California. Fortunately, the crop does not have a lot of pest problems, and many farmers grow the crop organically. Most fields are hand weeded to control weeds.