I grew up in Fluvanna county,lived in the Northern Neck and New River Valley through most of working life. The general rule of thumb was to get them out at the first frost. For me that usually was the last of September, first of October. Had on several occassions to come home from school and pull the vines. Frost does not hurt the potatoes but the damage to the vines is transmitted to the potatoes. Down here, I don't have worry about frost, but they slow way down with short daylight hours, so we still dig them around the first of October.

Have always planted sweet potatoes on lists. Never turned a vine or had a problem with secondary roots.

I got some slips from an elderly gentleman and I'd like to save some for next year but I have no idea how to store potatoes at the end of the season. I know he stores them but I have no idea how, or what variety they are. He told me he's been growing them for 50 years :) I put them in last night and they were all perky and happy this morning, so I'm hoping for a great harvest!