I'm a new gardener and have planted a row of sweet potatoes. They are vining out and overtaking some of my other vegetables. Can I cut back the vines and not hurt my end product?
You would be better off to trellis the vines. trimming them will take away the leaves they use in photosynthesis.
Sweet potatoes can sprawl pretty far, they need their space. I would suggest the trellis. Anything can be used. I used those square tomato cages you can get at Home depot etc last year for such things. They fold out in a straight line and work pretty well. Or you could make one with stakes and twine/string. If they back up on a fence that will work as well.