Should you dig sweet potatoes before the first frost? Will it hurt them if you don't? My vine are still growing and healthy looking. However it is suppose to get into the 30's tonight.

-- Lynne (lekhorse@yahoo.com), September 26, 2001

Answers

if it frosts the vines will blacken and you will have to dig in a hurry...but you might cover them up so they don't get frosted if you are concerned.

another method we tried oneyear when the vines did get frosted slightly at the tips...we mowed all the vines off and left the potatoes in the ground-put some hay over the tems just to be safe-and that helped keep them. I would not leave them in the dirt too long especially if it gets wet and rainy.

Don't forget to let them cure a bit before storing-in a dry place let them sti for a couple of weeks.

Sarah

-- sarah (heartsongacres@juno.com), September 26, 2001.

Hello Lynne, It is customary to dig them around the first frost. If you leave them in the ground too long they will begin to turn black on the inside and eventually rot. Just pull out a few and see if they are in the above conditon. IF they look okay let the rest sit underground for a little while and then check them again. Sincerely, Ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), September 26, 2001.