Commercial Growing Information Section 6: Cultivation
Cultivate at least 2-3 times with a rolling cultivator to apply fertilizer and to control emerged weeds after transplanting. Cultivator gangs are set to throw dirt on the sides of the ridge and leave a 2-inch band across the transplants untouched. To control weeds, herbicide can also be sprayed during cultivation. After sweet potato vines have grown down the sides of the ridge it is best not to cultivate anymore because the vines suppress weed growth, and yields can decrease when the vine is injured.
