Fertilization. Check the soil test results to determine how much nitrogen (N), phosphate (P), and potassium (K) is needed. Commercial recommendations for fertilizing sweet potatoes are usually 50 pounds N, 70 pounds P, and 70 pounds K per acre (50-70-70).
What is the best fertilizer for growing sweet potatoes?
A crop of sweet potatoes utilizes about 110 pounds of nitrogen, 15 pounds of phosphorus, and 150 pounds of potassium per acre from the soil. Based on OSU soil test results, the following amounts of P2O5 (phosphorus) and K2O (potassium) are recommended (Table 2).
Do sweet potatoes need a lot of fertilizer?
Don't fertilize your sweet potatoes at planting time — they don't require much in the way of nutrients. An excess of nitrogen will encourage leafy growth rather than big tubers. The best soil for sweet potatoes is loose and rich in organic matter.
How often should I fertilize sweet potatoes?
You can begin fertilizing sweet potatoes about 2 weeks after transplanting them into your garden. After that, they can be fertilized every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. Stop fertilizing about 3 weeks before they are harvested. Generally, 3 doses of fertilizer throughout the growing season are sufficient.
Do sweet potatoes need much nitrogen?
Although sweet potatoes don't need very much nitrogen, there is still a balancing act with proper application. An over-application will result in foliage overgrowth, but a lack of roots and too little nitrogen will also minimize crop yield. A lack of phosphorus can result in stunted growth, further diminishing yield.
More useful articles on a similar topic 👇
Do potato plants need to be fertilized?How do you fertilize sweet potatoes?
