i wouldn't want to give up the weed suppression i get from using plastic mulch.

I always do with plastic mulch and drip tape. Sweet potatoes then become a crop you plant in late May and dig in late September and maybe do a quick once over weeding one time in summer. Easy peasy! They like heat, they like moisture, they are root crops so hate weeds. Easy decision. I also keep mine covered with light row cover all season too.

I have done ~500 slips without plastic. But I grow in town and suspect that the weed pressure isn't as great. I laid leaves between rows and the vines took over after that.

I've done all three ways your thinking about. Did not see much difference in rodent damage but with the plastic it was much easier to control the weeds. Straw was OK but still had some weeds, especially late in the season as the wheat seeds germinated. If it's any consolation, I have a great deal of trouble with the mulchlayer on a slope. I raised the adjuster on the downhill side of the three point so the uphill side bit a little deeper and that helped but still had a lot of shovel work to secure it. If you find any better way shout it out - the world wonders.

Tom

if your field was laid out so the long dimension ran up the slope instead of across the slope your mulch layer might work. the other advantage of using mulch plastic is warming the bed which at this time of year probably isn't necessary but later in the season could increase yield. 3 years ago i had a problem with gnawed sweet potatoes and there were also quite few garter snakes under the plastic. same planting scheme the last 2 years with no problem.

Tried running the plastic with the slope one year - created a huge erosion problem. Granted it was a pretty set year but not something I want to try again.

Tom

If I went up or down the hill, it would be easier, but it would cause a big erosion problem. Also, the fence is in the way and I can't move it. I will have to just try and see, I have to till in the oats first. That will happen after the week long wet spell we are in dries up. I hope it dries out fast because I have slips coming next week.

I did half and half last year. No brainer from now on--plastic. First time I tried it. We suffered a drought last year, and those under plastic were excellent. Others were not worth digging.

Sounds like plastic mulch it is. I may leave a row to see how they do without. Weeding is a concern of mine and so is drought. I will just have to wait and see if I have problems with my mulch layer. Fighting the mulch layer for 1 hour or weeding for 1 hour a week. I guess it makes sense. I will have to make sure I keep the weeds down better between rows.

Thanks for the thoughts.

Jay