Hello from Oregon

callieannbrat 4/7/2014, 8:35 pm

Hi I found this board on line while looking up how to grow Okinawa Sweet Potatoes... I luv them.. they are so good. So I want to know how to do it in Oregon! Smile

were the sunshines from July 1st to Labor day... hmm can it be done. Smile

Marc Iverson 4/7/2014, 8:51 pm

Hi, from a fellow Oregonian down in the south west part (Rogue Valley).

Oregon has a new microclimate every 100 feet, it seems, so find out your agricultural zone first of all. Then ask yourself if you have anything about your site that makes it a bit different from that -- like, more shade than usual? At the bottom of a hill so the cold air pools in your garden more? Next to something that radiates heat? Etc. Get a firm idea of what your site is like, then work from there.

One of the best things you can do is call or visit the agricultural extension agents for your county. They can tell you things about growing in your area that could save you years of trial and error, and even suggest particular varieties that thrive right where you are, and the tips to grow them.

There are also Master Gardener's offices in many towns and cities that might be able to break it down even further to exactly what grows best locally.

**AtlantaMarie** 4/8/2014, 8:56 am

Hi Callieannbrat. I'm on the opposite side of the US, but welcome to the forum.

GWN 4/8/2014, 9:05 am

Hi There
I am from Oregon, left 3 years ago. I lived on the coast though and had difficulty growing anything because it was too cold.
I hope you are a ways away from the coast, I have heard that sweet potatoes need heat. WELCOME

Nonna.PapaVino 4/8/2014, 11:22 am

Hey, Callieannbrat, welcome to a very enjoyable way to garden. We are located on a ridge west of Saint Helens, so, as Marc mentioned, we plant to suit our microclimate. Being on the crest of the ridge, cold flows down, leaving us with a longer frost-free growing span than our neighbors just an eighth of a mile below us. Two years ago, I tried growing sweet potatoes, got beautiful vines, but no 'taters. Like you, we love the Japanese sweet potatoes, both Okinawan and Satsumaimo. (So fun to spring the purple Okinawas on guests at dinner.) Being fortunate to live somewhat close to Uwajimaya's oriental grocery in Beaverton, OR, we "harvest" our sweet potatoes from their bins. If you do grow some Okinawas, I'd love to hear all about it, maybe make another attempt myself. Nonna.PapaVino

**gwennifer** 4/8/2014, 11:50 pm

Hello callieannbrat and welcome to the SFG forum! I haven't really seen any PNW'ers talk about growing sweet potatoes here, but Marc is right, the climate varies wildly in Oregon depending on where you're located. You make it sound like you're in a rainy portion. You should call your local Master Gardener's extension and see if you can get anyone to chat with you about trying to push your zone and grow more tropical type veggies. Good luck!

FamilyGardening 4/9/2014, 12:48 am

we grew them last year in the green house.....we harvest a handful of thin sweet potatoes that looked more like really thick carrots.....

Welcome to the forum!

rillgardens 6/27/2014, 12:16 pm

Hi all, we're in Brookings, OR and if you're familiar with our region you know we can get 90 degrees and 54 degrees in 12 hours! We've had rain for the last 4 days (yeah we needed it) but I'm ready for the sun to shine again.

We live on 6 acres in Boardman State Park. I've been gardening for decades and have recently converted my 24' X 50' greenhouse to the SFG method. I've been an advocate of the SFG method for years and practiced it when I managed the 12 school gardens in a previous school dictrict.

Anyway, thought I'd say 'hi' and check in.

**donnainzone5** 6/27/2014, 2:09 pm

Welcome! My late aunt and uncle lived in Harbor, where they raised lily bulbs (and artichokes!).

Now that I live in Oregon again, I hope to visit your area one of these times.

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