by Ruth
In every house I ever live, I always try to grow sweet potato leaves. Last year, we moved from a single-family house to a townhome. Without a yard, can I still grow my favorite green?
The answer is: Yes.
No matter where you are, growing sweet potato leaves is an easy and rewarding endeavor that not only adds a touch of green to your space but also introduces a nutrient-packed, versatile vegetable into your diet. Sweet potato leaves, known for their delicate flavor and robust nutritional profile, can thrive even in small urban settings.
In this article, I will guide you through the simple process of growing sweet potato leaves from a sweet potato in a plastic container and discuss the rich nutrients that these verdant leaves offer.
### Why Grow Sweet Potato Leaves?
Before diving into the how-to, it’s important to understand why sweet potato leaves are worth your time. Sweet potato leaves are:
*Nutrient-Dense: Packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as dietary fiber, calcium, and iron, these leaves offer a myriad of health benefits.
*Low Maintenance: They are relatively easy to grow, making them an excellent choice for beginners.
*Sustainable: Growing your greens reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting store-bought vegetables.
*Culinary Versatility: Sweet potato leaves can be used in salads, soups, stir-fries, and smoothies.
### Materials You’ll Need
- Sweet Potato: A healthy sweet potato.
- Plastic Container: A medium-sized container like an old plastic tub or bin. Ensure it has drainage holes.
- Soil: Rich, well-draining potting soil.
### Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Sweet Potato Leaves
1. Preparing the Sweet Potato
Choose a healthy small sweet potato free from bruises and blemishes. Soak it in water to remove growth inhibitors, which can affect sprouting. You can leave it whole or cut it in half to speed up the process.
2. Sprouting the Sweet Potato
*Water Method: Place the sweet potato in a glass jar with the bottom half submerged in water. Use toothpicks to suspend it if necessary.
*Soil Method: Bury the sweet potato in a plastic container filled with moist soil, leaving the top exposed.
Both methods require a warm, well-lit location to initiate sprouting. Within a few weeks, you should see vines sprouting.
3. Planting in Soil
Once the vines (also called slips) are about 4-6 inches long, they are ready to be planted in soil.
*Preparing the Container: Choose a plastic container with drainage holes. Fill it with a mix of potting soil and compost to ensure the plants get adequate nutrients.
*Planting the Slips: Carefully remove the sprouted sweet potato from the jar. Detach each slip and plant it about 2 inches deep in the soil, ensuring that the leaves are above the soil surface.
(To be continued. Please come back next week.)
