A couple of raw and cooked Carogold Sweet Potatoes on a white background.
Carogold Sweet Potato Plants in little glass pots with a ruler to show size.
A close-up view of raw and cooked Carogold Sweet Potatoes.
A single Carogold Sweet Potato Plant in little glass pot with coins to show size.
Raw and cooked Carogold Sweet Potatoes on a white background.
A couple of raw and cooked Carogold Sweet Potatoes on a white background.
Carogold Sweet Potato Plants in little glass pots with a ruler to show size.
A close-up view of raw and cooked Carogold Sweet Potatoes.
A single Carogold Sweet Potato Plant in little glass pot with coins to show size.
Raw and cooked Carogold Sweet Potatoes on a white background.

Sweet Potato Plants,
Carogold

4.98 ReviewsSKU: #SWCG112
Price
Regular price $17.25
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Description

Ships mid-April thru May

Your order contains 5 plants. Carogold sweet potato is known for its smooth purple skin, orange flesh, prolific vines, and potential high yields. With its rich, creamy texture and flavor, it was the best-tasting sweet potato in our growing trials. It was bred at Clemson College (now Clemson University) and released in 1958. Carogold is resistant to fusarium wilt, a common disease in sweet potatoes, and also resists cracking. It is related to the Gold Rush sweet potato, from which it was bred.

Please consider these terms before ordering live plants:
Please make sure you are ready for your order in your growing zone, as these young, tender plants generally have no resistance to cold.

Growing Tips:
Carogold sweet potato thrives in warm weather. When your rooted slips arrive, hydrate them by soaking the roots in water or wrapping them in a damp paper towel before planting. These plants grow best in loose, well-draining, sandy soil with a pH of around 6.0. Provide full sun and consistent moisture, especially in the early stages.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Ipomoea batatas
Life Cycle
Annual
Growth Habit
Vining
Sun Requirement
6–8 hr.
Days to Maturity
90–120
Planting Depth
2–3 in.
Plant Spacing
12–18 in.
Ideal Temperature
75–85°F
Frost Hardy
No

When to Grow

Sweet potatoes are cold-sensitive, so plant them after all danger of frost has passed when soil temperatures reach at least 60 F. In northern climates, where summers are shorter, using black plastic mulch to warm the soil can help ensure a successful crop. To determine the best planting time for your area, consult local frost dates. Learn more about that in our blog post, ‘Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.’

How to Sow and Plant

Carogold sweet potatoes grow from slips (rooted cuttings), not seeds. Choose a location that receives full sun and has loose, well-draining soil. Loosen soil 12 inches deep, form 8-inch-high mounds, and space slips 12-18 inches apart in rows 3-4 feet apart. Hydrate slips before planting, then bury them 2-3 inches deep, leaving the leaves above soil level. Mulch immediately with plastic or straw to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and warm the soil. Water thoroughly after planting and keep the soil moist as plants establish their roots.

How to Grow

Sweet potatoes need full sun and moist but well-draining soil. Keep young plants well-watered as they establish. As the vines spread and mature, they become more drought-tolerant, and watering can be reduced to every few days. Fertilize lightly with a low-nitrogen fertilizer (such as 5-10-10) about 3-4 weeks after planting to promote tuber development rather than excessive vine growth. Vines will spread widely, so give them plenty of room.

How to Save Seeds

  • Sweet potatoes are not propagated by seeds, but rather by saving tubers over the winter in a cool, dark place to replant the following spring.
  • Be sure to select the most healthy tubers for replanting.
  • Follow this comprehensive video guide to curing and storing sweet potatoes over winter.

FAQ

How do I know when Carogold sweet potatoes are ready to harvest?

Harvest when the leaves and vines start to yellow, typically 90-120 days after planting. Dig carefully to avoid damaging the tubers.

Why is mulch important for growing Carogold sweet potatoes?

Mulching with straw or plastic suppresses weeds, retains soil moisture, and warms the soil, which are all essential for sweet potato growth. Without mulch, the vines can quickly get out of control, and weeds may compete for nutrients.

How do I cure Carogold sweet potatoes after harvest?

Store them in a warm, humid place (80-85 F for 7-10 days) to improve sweetness and storage life. After curing, store in a cool, dark place for long-term use.

Browse our full range of sweet potatoes.

Customer reviews

4.9 / 5 8 Reviews

What gardeners are saying

  • Best-tasting of the bunch: Smooth, sweet and not stringy; won a six-variety taste test.

  • Big harvests: Heavy yields; five slips gave one gardener about 30 pounds.

  • Thrives in heat: Vines flourish in 100-degree heat with little water.

  • Vigorous vines: Slips arrive healthy and take off into vines that spread wide.

  • A keeper: Many plan to grow this variety again next season.

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