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Raised Bed Soil for Sweet Potatoes #865977

Asked April 26, 2024, 11:01 AM EDT

Dear Master Gardener, I'm trying to grow some sweet potatoes in my container garden this year, and in my research I've found a lot of info on what garden soil they do well in, but mixed info on what kind of soil mix/soilless media would be best for growing them in containers. I've read that they prefer sandy loam soils without too much nutrients, and the general raised bed mix I use is 1/3 peat, 1/3 vermiculite, and 1/3 composted horse manure. Since sandy loam soils are around 45% sand, would it work if I added sand to my raised bed mix to match that proportion, or would the soil be too heavy for the sweet potato tubers? Thank you for sharing your time and expertise!

Durham County North Carolina

Expert Response

You have been using very light media with no soil in it.  I recommend that you add soil (not much clay) to your mixture.  If you have access to good soil, it will add microbes that will aid in nutrient uptake for your plants. You can also add some sand, but this will increase porosity and not increase the nutrient value of the soil.  Look for sandy loam.  (This should be available in Southern Wake as the soil changes to coastal plain there and has much more sand in it.)

I suggest you read chapters 1 and 16 in the Extension Gardener Handbook, https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/extension-gardener-handbook, for information about soil for your raised garden beds.

You have been using very light media with no soil in it. I recommend that you add soil (not much clay) to your mixture. If you have access to good soil, it will add microbes that will aid in nutrient uptake for your plants. You can also add some sand, but this will increase porosity and not increase the nutrient value of the soil. Look for sandy loam. (This should be available in Southern Wake as the soil changes to coastal plain there and has much more sand in it.)

I suggest you read chapters 1 and 16 in the Extension Gardener Handbook, https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/extension-gardener-handbook, for information about soil for your raised garden beds.

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