Because potatoes are a root vegetable that grows below the surface of the soil, phosphate and potassium are more beneficial to potato growth. A fertilizer formula of 5-10-10 or 8-24-24 works well for sweet potatoes. You can begin fertilizing sweet potatoes about 2 weeks after transplanting them into your garden.
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).
Should you fertilize sweet potatoes?
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.
Do sweet potatoes need a lot of 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.
Is Epsom salt good for sweet potato plants?
Epsom salt. Add some Epsom salt to the soil while planting to help promote magnesium which will help build walls of Sweet Potato. For a more direct approach, 1 tablespoon can be mixed with a gallon of water and applied directly as a foliar spray on the leaves.
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