Ipomoea batatas 'Evangeline'

The Evangeline Sweet Potato is a variety with orange skin and bright orange flesh, very sweet. The sweet potato is a root vegetable native to South America. Its elongated tuber can be cooked like a potato with a slightly sweet taste. The plant's foliage is very decorative. The plug plants of this variety can be planted from April to June, after the last frost, in open ground, under cover or in pots, depending on the climate. Harvesting can be done from September to November. 

Only about twenty centimetres tall, this perennial plant can spread over several metres wide thanks to its long creeping stems. Belonging to the Convolvulaceae family and the genus Ipomoea, it has very decorative foliage. Some varieties have been selected for their foliage and can be grown in the garden as ornamental plants, such as Ipomoea Illusion Midnight Lace or Ipomoea Sweet Heart Purple.

Vegetable varieties produce elongated tubers with flesh colours like white, yellow, orange, or purple. This exotic plant needs warmth and water to grow. It can be planted in open ground in regions with hot summers. In cooler areas, opt for cultivation under cover or in pots.

In terms of cooking, the sweet potato can be prepared like a regular potato (mashed, gratins...). Its sweet taste also allows it to be used 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 (copper and manganese).

Harvesting: Sweet potatoes are short-day plants. Tuber formation begins in September-October when the foliage turns yellow. Just before harvesting, cut the foliage. Gently lift the tubers with a garden fork, taking care 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. Store them in a cool, dry place away from light.

Gardener's tip: Although the plant is ground-covering, mulch the soil to maintain moisture and reduce weed growth, especially at the beginning of the growing season.