How to Harvest Sweet Potatoes for the Best Flavor and Texture

Sweet potatoes are very easy to grow—but it does take some time for them to reach maturity. Once your vegetable garden is ready, however, you'll need to know exactly how to harvest these tubers to get the best flavor. Much of this has to do with timing, but the right tools and techniques are equally important for guaranteeing a successful crop.

Here, we spoke with the experts to demystify the process for you so that you can harvest the best sweet potatoes every time.

When to Harvest

Knowing when your sweet potatoes have reached maturity is key to a successful harvest. Typically, they'll be ready about 90 to 120 days after planting. Since you start sweet potatoes in the spring (after the last frost has passed), this usually means they'll have reached maturity in late summer or early fall.

"The goal is to give them as much warm growing time as possible without letting cold temperatures damage them," says Carrie Spoonemore, founder of Seed to Spoon. The latter is very important, as sweet potatoes are very frost sensitive and won't tolerate chillier temperatures.

"The foliage will begin to yellow and die back, which usually signals that the tubers have matured," adds Sara Rubens, founder of Seed to Sanctuary. You can also try checking the roots of one plant first before attempting to harvest them all.

How to Harvest

Once your sweet potatoes are ready to harvest, it's time to dig in. Here are the steps:

1. Choose the right day: Spoonemore recommends harvesting when the weather is drier, so the soil won't stick to the roots.
2. Cut back the vines: This will make it easier to harvest the sweet potatoes. "The foliage is also edible and nutritious and can be eaten fresh in a salad or sautéed with other vegetables," adds Rosenkranz.
3. Loosen the soil: Use a garden fork or a spade for this step, so you don't damage the roots. "Loosen the soil in a wide circle around each plant—about 12 to 18 inches out," says Rubens.
4. Gently lift: Carefully lift the soil and pull the sweet potatoes out.

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Curing and Storage

Once you've harvested your sweet potatoes, always cure them to enhance their flavor. Rubens recommends placing them in a warm, humid space for 7 to 10 days (about 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit).

"After curing, store them in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated space like a pantry or root cellar," says Spoonemore. "Avoid refrigerating them—it can negatively affect flavor and texture."