Organic Sweet Potato Bonita - Ipomoea batatas

The Organic Bonita Sweet Potato is an early and productive variety that produces large tubers, with a pinkish-purple skin covering a white flesh. Its tuber can be cooked like a potato, and in this 'Bonita' selection, it is particularly tasty when prepared as fries. Young sweet potato plants can be planted from April to June, after the last frost, in open ground, under shelter, or in pots, depending on the climate. Harvesting can be done from September to November.

Plants from organic farming, certified organic.

The sweet potato, Ipomoea batatas in Latin, is a root vegetable native to South America. Standing at only about twenty centimeters tall, this perennial plant can spread over several meters wide thanks to its long creeping stems. Belonging to the Convolvulaceae family and the genus Ipomoea, it has a very decorative foliage. Some varieties have been selected for their foliage and can be used as ornamental plants in the garden, such as the Illusion Midnight Lace or the Sweet Heart Purple Ipomoea.

Vegetable varieties produce elongated tubers with flesh colors ranging from white, yellow, orange to purple. This exotic plant needs heat and water to grow. It can be planted in open ground in regions with hot summers, with careful watering. In cooler regions, opt for cultivation under shelter or in pots.

In terms of cooking, sweet potatoes can be prepared in the same way as potatoes (mashed, gratins, fries, chips, soups, etc.). Their sweet taste also makes them suitable for use in desserts such as cakes, pies, or jams. The edible leaves can be consumed like spinach. Sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene, vitamin B6, and minerals such as copper and manganese.

Harvesting: Sweet potatoes are short-day plants. Tubers start forming in September-October, when the foliage turns yellow. Just before harvesting, cut the foliage. Gently lift the tubers with a fork, being careful not to damage them. Let them dry in the sun for a few hours. Harvesting should be completed before the first frost.

Storage: Sweet potatoes can be stored like regular potatoes. Keep them in a cool, dry place away from light.

Gardener's tip: Although the plant provides good ground cover, mulch the soil to keep it moist and reduce weed growth, especially at the beginning of the cultivation.