Tilth Conference

Conference Schedule

Conference Schedule

Growing Sweet Potatoes in Western WA

  • Date: Tuesday, November 17
  • Time: 10:30-11:45 a.m.
  • Speakers: Carol Miles, Washington State University; Laurel Moulton, Washington State University
  • Track: Track 3

Sweet potato (Ipomea batata) can grow well in Washington with the right variety selection and if soil warming measures are provided in Western Washington. Sweet potato provides a new crop for soil rotation and diversifies market offerings. This presentation will describe the basics of growing sweet potato in Western Washington based on our experiences at WSU NWREC in Mount Vernon and the experiences of more than 60 farmers and 30 gardeners that participated in the research. Pest concerns, tips for being successful in the short Western Washington growing season, curing and storing, and slip/transplant production will be covered. Growing guides and supportive resources will be shared. 

About the Speakers

  • Carol Miles

    Washington State University

    Carol Miles is a professor in the Department of Horticulture, Washington State University, based at the Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center (WSU NWREC). She specializes in vegetable crop production, with a strong interest in alternative crops, sustainable cropping systems, and organic production. Her current research program focuses on tea propagation, sweet potato production for northern climates, using soil-biodegradable plastic mulch for vegetable and fruit production, and mechanized cider apple orchard systems.  

  • Laurel Moulton

    Washington State University

    Laurel Moulton is a Senior Extension Coordinator with the Washington State University Regional Small Farms Program, based on the Olympic Peninsula. She provides integrated pest management technical assistance for farmers in Clallam, Jefferson and Kitsap Counties and enjoys facilitating on-farm research opportunities for small farms, and community science opportunities for gardeners. She currently works with farmers on growing sweet potatoes, water conservation and more.