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Friday, March 14, 2014

Hanging Sweet Potato Vine


If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen a couple months back that I had some sweet potato vines growing in jars.  (My husband thought this process was extremely weird).

It might be a bit weird.  But one day when I looked in the pantry area and noticed that my sweet potatoes were growing, and the shoots were already quite long, I decided to seize the opportunity for some live greenery.  I knew sweet potato vines can be quite pretty, so I decided to keep them growing.



For a couple months I've had them growing in these jars with just water and occasionally feeding them.  They were finally starting to outgrow these containers and since it is beginning to seem like Spring, I thought I would give them a real home with dirt and nutrients.  





Since this Spring still seems pretty unpredictable with temperatures in the 80s one day and below freezing the next (I'm not making this up), I wanted to be able to easily move the plant from outside to inside when needed.  I thought this hanging basket would work great!



All three plants fit well in here too!



I had some potting soil left over from last year that I decided to use.



I put some soil in the bottom and laid the largest potato in first.



Then I turned the medium sized vine the other direction.



And lastly I added the little baby vine and filled with the rest of my potting soil.

Yes, I know I need some more.

No, I did not go to the store before deciding to post this on the blog without finishing it. 
So, sorry.  Just imagine that the potatoes are covered up.



Also, imagine that once I get the rest of the potting soil in that I add in some mixed marigold seeds and cover them lightly.

Sure glad you guys have great imaginations!


Some green looks pretty great out front.  Now lets see some little purple flower weeds growing everywhere that signify the beginning of Spring!



I think the mixed marigolds will look great with the vine!  Hope my thumb is green enough to get them going and not kill them!


Do you think it is weird to grow a potato vine?  This subject is up for debate in my house!


15 comments:

  1. Yay for a little bit of green!! Spring definitely ought to be coming soon!

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    1. Yes, its getting close! I'm excited...so tired of ice, snow, and cold!

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  2. How cool I hope it grows well for you!

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    1. Thanks Jennifer, me too! I think it will be happier when the weather becomes more consistent...(or maybe I'm just thinking of me)!

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  3. I'm so fascinated by everything growing on our windowsil... we have a hanging basket that needs something that will be visable, so who knows, I might try a sweet potato :)

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    1. This is my first time to plant something in a hanging basket, I'm kind of excited! Yes, the key to starting a sweet potato is to leave it in a dark room for too long. haha

      Hope your other little plants are doing well...they were so tiny and cute!

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  4. You've got me wanting to go snag some sweet potatos from the store and plant them!! This is soooo neat!! It reminds me of elementary school when we planted a bean in a plastic cup! Ha ha!!! Thanks for linking up at our Monday Funday party!!! I will be featuring your post next Monday!!!

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    1. Haha, it really is fun! I always loved those types of elementary school projects too!

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  5. Lovely green! This is such an awesome idea. When my sweet potatoes start to sprout, I always throw them away, feeling guilty about being wasteful. I love the idea of creatively reusing them to add some life and color!

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    1. I hate throwing them out too. I'm glad they kept growing. Now that I transplanted one of them is starting to look sick, so I hope I can revive it!

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  6. Looks great - I do the same thing, but I plant them on purpose to grow sweet potatoes. :) I planted a larger amount of them and put a trellis above them and they were beautiful - made a wall of wonderful vines..........and great sweet potatoes too. :) Thank you for posting this......I am reminded that I need to get sweet potatoes and get them sprouting. Gentle Joy

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    1. My grandpa was a sweet potato farmer...one day I might consider growing some...but gardening doesn't really work in apartments besides herbs, unfortunately! Good luck with your sweet potatoes this year!

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  7. This is so cool. The Hubby and I where just wondering the other day how to grow sweet potatoes. I am so going to try this!!

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  8. I planted some plain potatoes last year - the vines go crazy! Mine ended up getting devoured by bugs when I potted them outdoors. :( It was a sad day. I'll have to try it with the sweet potatoes!

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  9. I kind of like it! I love viney plants! Thanks for coming over and sharing at The Weekend Retreat!!

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