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Growing Yam/Oka, also Oca

(Oxalis tuberosa)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
      P                

(Best months for planting Yam/Oka in United Kingdom - temperate/warm regions)


  • Harvest in 105-140 days
  • Tubers. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed.
  • Best planted at soil temperatures between 17°C and 35°C.
  • Space plants: 30-45cm

Frost tender. Yams needs a long growing time to produce the tubers.

Not suitable for areas of early Autumn (Fall) frosts.

Planting needs similar to potatoes. Yams can handle more shade than potatoes. Earthing up will help increase production.

The leaves look rather like clover. Dig up after the plant dies down and leave outside for a few days to dry.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Yam/Oka

Scrub and boil or roast with other vegetables.

Your comments and tips

31 Dec 09 Linda (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
John, Any chance of getting any yams? I know its a little late, but I am willing to try anything. Usually I half cook, and then freeze them to bring them back to Sydney, but if only I could get some fresh ones, that would be amazing. Linda
02 Jan 10 john studte (Australia - temperate climate)
Linda.Could you please contact me at jon_ela8@bigpond.com please.John
06 Jan 10 Laurie (Australia - temperate climate)
Like most kiwis I really miss my yams. Where can I get the plants?
09 Jan 10 john studte (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi John in Tassie again.I have quite a good crop growing at the moment and should be plenty to spare in aprox two monthsPlease contact email ad above.
17 Jan 10 leigh morris (Australia - temperate climate)
as an ex kiwi i really miss the purple kumara & the yellow/orange yams unfortunately the orange/golden/and purple flavoured sweet potatoes don't have the same flavour and i have not been able to find yams anywhere
19 Jan 10 Chris Branson (Australia - temperate climate)
I came across this site/discussion while looking for references to the purple skinned-yellow (not white) fleshed Kumara in Australia. My mission is to get some to grow for my Kiwi wife who misses them. Can anyone help me?
19 Jan 10 Tam (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
LEIGH- try the Diggers club the are seed savers and I think Australian and NZ , look them up online
23 Feb 10 Cathy Peck (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi John in Tasi I have longed for a feed of fresh yams for 32 yrs and only ever have them when I go home and thats rare, sometimes they are not in season when I am there. I have just begun a nice garden and would love to grow them I am willing to pay for them. Cathy Peck
25 Feb 10 Cathy Peck (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I contacted this place cornucopiaseeds and they said they will have yam tubers June/July
25 Feb 10 John Studte (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Cathy.Please contact me at jon_ela8@bigpond.com and i will organise that for you.John

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See planting calendar for these countries and climate zones

Australia - cool/mountain,   Australia - sub-tropical,   Australia - temperate,   Australia - tropical,   New Zealand - cool/mountain,   New Zealand - sub-tropical,   New Zealand - temperate,   United Kingdom - temperate/cool,   United Kingdom - temperate/warm  

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.

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