Sweet Potato Ground Cover: How it Benefits Your Garden

The Importance of Ground Cover in Gardening

Are you tired of constantly weeding your garden beds or dealing with parched soil during the summer months? If so, then you may want to consider using sweet potato ground cover as a solution to these problems. Not only does sweet potato ground cover help suppress weeds and retain moisture in the soil, but it also adds valuable organic matter to your garden.

What is Sweet Potato Ground Cover?

Sweet potato ground cover is simply a way of growing sweet potatoes as a living mulch that covers the soil. Instead of planting sweet potatoes in rows with bare soil in between, you can plant them closer together and allow the vines to spread out and cover the ground. The leaves and stems of the plants will act as a natural barrier against weeds while also helping to keep the soil moist.

How to Plant Sweet Potato Ground Cover

To begin, choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil. Sweet potatoes prefer warm temperatures, so wait until after the last frost before planting. You can either with slips (small plants grown from sprouted sweet potatoes) or with whole sweet potatoes. If ing with whole potatoes, cut them into pieces that are roughly the size of an egg, making sure each piece has at least one "eye" (sprout).

Plant the slips or potato pieces about 12 inches apart in rows that are spaced 3-4 feet apart. As the plants grow, gently train the vines to spread out and cover the ground between the rows. The vines will eventually root themselves into the soil, creating a dense mat of foliage that acts as a natural mulch.

Benefits of Sweet Potato Ground Cover

Suppresses Weeds

The dense foliage of sweet potato ground cover helps to shade out weeds, making it easier to maintain a weed-free garden. Plus, since the vines root themselves into the soil, they make it difficult for new weeds to take hold.

Retains Moisture

The leaves and stems of sweet potato plants help to keep the soil moist by reducing evaporation. This is especially important during hot summer months when water can quickly evaporate from the soil surface.

Adds Organic Matter

As the sweet potato vines decompose, they add valuable organic matter to the soil. This improves soil structure, increases soil fertility, and enhances soil moisture retention.

Provides Habitat for Beneficial Insects

Sweet potato ground cover also provides habitat for beneficial insects such as ladybugs, lacewings, and spiders. These insects help to control pests naturally, reducing the need for pesticides.

How to Maintain Sweet Potato Ground Cover

Watering

Sweet potato ground cover requires regular watering, especially during hot, dry weather. Water deeply to encourage deep rooting, and avoid getting water on the leaves to reduce the risk of disease.

Fertilizing

Sweet potatoes are heavy feeders and require regular applications of fertilizer. A balanced, all-purpose fertilizer can be applied every few weeks during the growing season.

Harvesting

Sweet potatoes should be harvested in the fall after the vines have died back. Gently dig up the roots with a fork or shovel, being careful not to damage them. Cure the sweet potatoes in a warm, dry place for several days before storing.

Common Problems with Sweet Potato Ground Cover

Pests

Sweet potatoes are susceptible to a number of pests, including sweet potato weevils, wireworms, and white grubs. To control these pests naturally, try using row covers or releasing beneficial insects such as nematodes.

Diseases

Sweet potatoes can be affected by a variety of diseases, including sweet potato scab, black rot, and Fusarium wilt. To reduce the risk of disease, make sure to plant disease-resistant varieties, rotate crops, and avoid overwatering.

Recipes Using Sweet Potatoes

If you have an abundance of sweet potatoes from your ground cover, here are a few tasty recipes to try:

Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients:

• 4 cups mashed sweet potatoes
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a large bowl, combine mashed sweet potatoes, milk, butter, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
3. Mix well and pour into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
4. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and set.

Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients:

• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into fries
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. In a large bowl, toss sweet potato fries with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
3. Spread out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown.

FAQs

Q: Can sweet potatoes be grown in containers?

A: Yes, sweet potatoes can be grown in containers as long as the container is at least 12 inches deep and has good drainage.

Q: How long does it take for sweet potato ground cover to spread?

A: Sweet potato vines will begin to spread within a few weeks of planting, but it may take several months for them to create a dense mat of foliage.

Q: Can I use sweet potato ground cover in a vegetable garden?

A: Yes, sweet potato ground cover can be used in a vegetable garden to help suppress weeds and retain moisture in the soil.

Q: How often should I water sweet potato ground cover?

A: Sweet potato ground cover should be watered regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Water deeply to encourage deep rooting.

Q: What are some other plants that can be used as ground cover?

A: Other plants that make good ground cover include clover, creeping thyme, and creeping phlox.