Homestead mailing list

[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

On Nov 23, 2007, at 1:29 PM, EarthNSky wrote:

> It seems to me that the potatoes this year were
> smaller than in past years...have I lost adaption, or do you think it
> was just the drought?

They need water but less than you might think. Here in Phoenix I cut  
up two sweets a couple years ago and planted the chunks in some  
imported topsoil that filled behind a new retaining wall. I can  
report that sweet potatoes thrive in heat. The vines threatened to  
take over the place. More potatoes than we could use. Did not water  
excessively; the foliage was so thick that it made shade for the roots.

 When I am full-time at Heartwood the crop is typically more than we  
eat so instead of making and planting slips I cut up and plant pieces  
as with white potatoes.

Btw, Chris and I have become sweet potato fry enthusiasts. Made like  
French fries and dipped. Yum!