The sweet potatoes

The word 'sweet' is used because of their sweet taste. Sweet potatoes vary in type. There is the white, red and the orange varieties.

Nutrients:
The orange varieties are very high in vitamin A, C, good source of fibre, vitamin B EMBED Equation.3 , Iron and also a very important source of carbohydrates.

Temperature:
Warm to hot climates (20’c)

Soil:
Moist, loose and well drained soils. This is because they are tubers hence requires loose soil for them to thicken.

Planting:
Sweet potatoes are planted from vines. Ridges should be prepared to create a heap of soil for easy penetration of roots. Soil should be heaped around the stem to prevent the tubers from being attacked by weevils.

Mode of cooking:
They can be boiled in water, cooked as chips and mixed in wheat floor as a supplement in breads and cakes.

By Cyrus Chege.