Starting sweet potato slips in February for spring planting is one of my absolute favorite gardening activities to kick off the new growing season. I get so excited when February rolls around because it means I can finally start preparing these amazing little plants that will give me pounds of delicious sweet potatoes come fall. There’s something magical about watching a simple sweet potato transform into dozens of leafy green slips that are just bursting with potential. Starting Sweet Potato Slips in February for Spring Planting is a popular choice for gardeners.
The timing couldn’t be more perfect here in Florida. February gives us just enough time to grow strong, healthy slips that’ll be ready to transplant into the garden by late March or early April. I’ve been doing this for years now, and I can tell you that starting your own slips is not only super rewarding, but it also saves you a ton of money compared to buying them from the nursery.
Getting Your Sweet Potato Slips Started in February
The first step in starting sweet potato slips in February for spring planting is choosing the right sweet potatoes to work with. I always head to the grocery store and pick out organic sweet potatoes that look plump and healthy. You want ones that feel firm and don’t have any soft spots or wrinkled skin. I’ve learned the hard way that treated sweet potatoes from conventional sources often won’t sprout, so organic is definitely the way to go.
Once you’ve got your sweet potatoes, you’ll need to decide on your sprouting method. I’ve tried both the water method and the soil method, and honestly, both work great. For the water method, I stick toothpicks into the sides of the sweet potato and suspend it in a glass jar with the bottom half submerged in water. The soil method involves burying the sweet potato halfway in a container of moist potting soil.
I personally prefer the soil method because it seems to produce stronger, healthier slips. Plus, there’s less chance of the sweet potato rotting, which can happen sometimes with the water method. Just make sure to use good quality potting mix and keep it consistently moist but not soggy. Within about two to three weeks, you should start seeing little green shoots popping up from the sweet potato.
Creating the Perfect Environment for Sweet Potato Slip Development
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Temperature is absolutely critical when you’re starting sweet potato slips in February for spring planting. These tropical plants love warmth, and they need consistent temperatures between 75-80°F to really thrive. Here in Florida, I usually set up my slip-starting operation in a warm spot in the house, like on top of the refrigerator or near a heat vent.
If your house tends to run cool, don’t worry! I’ve had great success using a heating pad designed for seed starting. Just place it under your containers and set it to low. You can also create a mini greenhouse effect by covering your containers with clear plastic wrap, but make sure to remove it once the slips start growing to prevent them from getting too leggy.
Light is another important factor that I’ve learned not to overlook. Once those little green shoots appear, they need bright light to develop properly. I place mine in a south-facing window where they get plenty of sunshine throughout the day. If you don’t have a bright enough spot, a grow light works perfectly too. Just keep it about 6 inches above the slips and run it for 12-14 hours a day.
Caring for Your Growing Sweet Potato Slips Through Spring
As your slips grow taller, you’ll need to keep up with regular care to ensure they’re ready for transplanting. I check the water level daily if I’m using the water method, or I stick my finger into the soil to test moisture levels for the soil method. The key is keeping everything consistently moist but never waterlogged. Too much water will cause the sweet potato to rot, and trust me, that smell is not pleasant!
Around the 4-6 week mark, your slips should be about 6-8 inches tall with several leaves. This is when I start the hardening off process to prepare them for outdoor life. I begin by placing them outside in a shaded, protected area for just an hour or two each day. Gradually, I increase their outdoor time and move them into more sun over the course of about a week.
Harvesting and Transplanting Your February-Started Slips
The exciting moment comes when your slips are ready to harvest from the mother sweet potato. I gently twist each slip at the base where it connects to the sweet potato, and most of the time they come right off with a nice set of roots already formed. If some don’t have roots yet, don’t panic! You can place them in a glass of water for a few days and they’ll develop roots quickly.
Before transplanting into the garden, I like to plant my slips in small pots with potting soil for a week or two. This gives them a chance to establish a stronger root system and makes the transition to the garden much easier. University extension services recommend waiting until soil temperatures consistently reach 60°F before transplanting, which here in Florida usually happens by late March or early April.
When transplanting day arrives, I choose a sunny spot in the garden with well-draining soil. Sweet potatoes need plenty of room to spread, so I space my plants about 18 inches apart in rows that are 3-4 feet apart. I dig holes just deep enough to bury about two-thirds of each slip, leaving the top leaves above ground. After planting, I give them a good drink of water and keep the soil consistently moist for the first week while they establish.
Starting sweet potato slips in February for spring planting has become one of my most anticipated gardening traditions. There’s something incredibly satisfying about growing your own planting material from scratch, and the results are always impressive. By the time fall rolls around, each of those tiny slips will have produced several pounds of delicious sweet potatoes that taste infinitely better than anything you can buy at the store.
