Brave Search summarizer gives this information for anyone who wants to start their own Sweet Potato Slips:
Chlorine in tap water can inhibit or prevent sweet potato slips from sprouting. Multiple sources confirm that high levels of chlorine, commonly found in city water, can damage or kill sweet potato tubers, leading to rot instead of sprouting.
A gardener on 5 Acres & A Dream discovered that her sweet potatoes rotted in tap water but successfully sprouted when transferred to filtered water, concluding that chlorine was the likely culprit.
KelseyViews and Johnny's Farm both recommend using filtered water over tap water, as chlorine and other chemicals can harm developing slips.
To safely use tap water, let it sit for 24 hours to allow chlorine to dissipate, though filtered water remains the preferred option. If your sweet potatoes aren’t sprouting in water, consider switching to filtered or de-chlorinated water.
Finally, a satisfyingly productive day!
This morning, I got my crochet project in the mail which required a trip to the PO. It should arrive on Monday.
After a quick lunch, it was out to the shop, but before I started in there, I got all the yard & gardening tools organized in the barn. A couple of items went from the shop to the barn which cleared some space. I have been noodling on how to organize those tools since last fall & I think what I set up will work.
Back to the shop & the giant set of shelves project. It is 6.5 feet long & the shelves are 2 feet wide. The height is 8 feet. I thought I would need help with the first 2 side rails, but I managed to get them on & then the 2 end pieces stood on their own. I am missing bolts & some ‘tabs’ that make sure the side rails never come off so I rummaged through what I have & found some bolts that worked. The bolts were a pain to install, but those side rails are not coming off. Of course, the shelves took longer than expected, all afternoon. Tomorrow, I’ll get the wire shelving out of the basement & on the frame & that will be checked off the ‘to do’ list.
About the weather - it has not been as advertised. The last 2 days have been cloudy so temps didn’t get to 60. Today was downright chilly & it rained this afternoon. I came in around 6 pm & it was 38°. The shop is not heated, but there’s no wind of course, so it’s somewhat warmer than outside; nevertheless, I was quite chilled when I came in. Tomorrow should start with showers, then sun in the afternoon & “warming fast”, high mid-60’s. I’ll believe it when I see it!