Sweet potatoes have thin, delicate skin that is easily damaged. Curing not only adds a little sweetness, but also allows time for cork to form over injuries, thereby lessening the chance of rot, and prevents the tuber from drying out. This process will take longer at lower temperatures, thereby increasing the chance for diseases to enter any wounds; humidity lower than about 70 percent also will slow healing and affect tuber quality. Gardeners have come up with some clever ways to provide the necessary heat and humidity. Some people do indeed use a small heater in a small room (such as a bathroom) or shed, with a source of humidity, such as a pail of water or a humidifier (or in the bathroom, running the shower every so often). You’d need to monitor the temperature to make sure that it doesn’t get too hot or cold. If you have a greenhouse, then that also would be an option. Some put the potatoes in slatted or cardboard boxes covered loosely with plastic bags (make sure the plastic has a few holes so that there is some ventilation but still a humid environment), and place them in the furnace room or near a small heater. Garden author Nancy Bubel once wrote that she cures her sweet potatoes by simply spreading the potatoes behind her woodstove and covering them with a well-wrung-out towel. Hope this helps!
Sweet potatoes have thin, delicate skin that is easily damaged. Curing not only adds a little sweetness, but also allows time for cork to form over injuries, thereby lessening the chance of rot, and prevents the tuber from drying out. This process will take longer at lower temperatures, thereby increasing the chance for diseases to enter any wounds; humidity lower than about 70 percent also will slow healing and affect tuber quality. Gardeners have come up with some clever ways to provide the necessary heat and humidity. Some people do indeed use a small heater in a small room (such as a bathroom) or shed, with a source of humidity, such as a pail of water or a humidifier (or in the bathroom, running the shower every so often). You’d need to monitor the temperature to make sure that it doesn’t get too hot or cold. If you have a greenhouse, then that also would be an option. Some put the potatoes in slatted or cardboard boxes covered loosely with plastic bags (make sure the plastic has a few holes so that there is some ventilation but still a humid environment), and place them in the furnace room or near a small heater. Garden author Nancy Bubel once wrote that she cures her sweet potatoes by simply spreading the potatoes behind her woodstove and covering them with a well-wrung-out towel. Hope this helps!