
But alas, sweet potatoes require a long growing season yet can’t be planted outside till the soil reaches 70 degrees. This means starting the rooting process indoors. Remember those 4th grade science experiments with the potato in a jar of water, being held up by toothpicks? Yep, you got it. For the last month my sweet potato science experiment has graced the front table in my living room, the only sunny spot I have. And one month later all I have to show for this project is one root- one measly scrawny thread of a root- dangling from the bottom of my sweet potato, so thin it could break off in a weak breeze.
Lucky for me, the weather has warmed up here the past few days and SW has been able to sun bathe on my back porch. But this requires my remembering to bring him in each evening, as the nights are still too chilly. Tonight, as I retrieved SW from the porch to again tuck him safely inside for the night, I commented to my daughter that maybe I should just crochet him a blanket so he could stay outside all night!
According to expert gardeners, if I take care of SW properly, green vines will emerge from the potato’s top, which can then be planted outdoors in warm soil, resulting in an abundant harvest of sweet potatoes in the fall. Pinterest even has a picture of a large wheelbarrow filled with stunning sweet potatoes grown from just 3 tiny seed potatoes.
So far I see no signs of green vines emerging anywhere on my sweet potato. I’m just hoping that’s not mold on its pale orange skin. And I think I will be needing a smaller wheelbarrow.