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Growing Yam/Oka, also Oca

(Oxalis tuberosa)

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

(Best months for planting Yam/Oka in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.

Plant tubers about 5cm (1.5") deep covered with soil. Best planted at soil temperatures between 17°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
Space plants: 30 - 45 cm apart
Harvest in 15-20 weeks. Leave in the ground until foliage has completely died down so tubers reach maximum size.
Compatible with: Best in separate bed

Young leaves of Oka

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

Protect from early Autumn (Fall) frosts to give time for tubers to fully develop.

Planting needs are 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

09 Aug 11, sonia wilson (Australia - temperate climate): Hi, Have just bought some yam bulbs and was wondering what yeild I could expect per bulb and does it increase per bulb per year or remain the same. I live in Melbourne.
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29 Jul 11, John in Tassie. (Australia - temperate climate): I still have some small yam tubers left for the coming season.Please contact me at john.stu63@gmail.com John.
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31 Jul 11, Terry (Australia - temperate climate): thanks for replying, I bought 10 on eBay, so I'll have a crack at growing
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27 Jul 11, Terry (Australia - temperate climate): Hi, i'm becoming obsessed with finding some Yams, got a price from our local delivery guy but he couldnt get any at the last minute. Bought them years ago from a veg shop in Brighton but havent seen them since have seen them advertised on eBay '3' tubers, are they hard to grow in melbourne? [Burwood] anyone know who sells them ready to eat??? cheers
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14 Jun 11, Susan Girard (Australia - cool/mountain climate): I've been growing NZ Yams in the Upper Blue Mountains for several years with increasing success. Just remember that they are oxalis and can get to be weedy and that the yams don't get to plump up till Autumn so don't get disappointed early in the year if it looks like you are getting lots of leaf without any yams. Good luck
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24 May 11, Dinee (Australia - cool/mountain climate): Hi Dave, just kept our yams in an onion bag hung in the garage and checked them every month disposing of any which had deteriorated and planted in September. We had a good crop this year and have just started harvesting and eating them. We live in Northern Tassie and began growing yams only a couple of years ago as they were becoming harder to buy.
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11 Jun 11, (Australia - cool/mountain climate): hey dinee,,,,nw tassie here,,,,,sandy kinda soil,,,,,,,thinking ill have a crack at yams....whats ya advice
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15 May 11, leonie (Australia - sub-tropical climate): could anyone tell me what time of year to plant yams in qld. Also does anywhere no where I can get n kumera seed?
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19 Dec 10, john (Australia - temperate climate): If you would like some little NZ yams contact me at john.stu63@gmail.com and i will organize for you.
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26 Mar 11, Talei Watson (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Hi John. My partner loves yams. I'm not such a big fan, but would love to purchase some for him. We would like to grow our own as well. I would really appreciate it if you could help us. Many thanks.
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See planting calendar for these countries and climate zones

Australia - arid, Australia - cool/mountain, Australia - sub-tropical, Australia - temperate, Australia - tropical, New Zealand - cool/mountain, New Zealand - sub-tropical, New Zealand - temperate, South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical, South Africa - Humid sub-tropical, South Africa - Semi-arid, South Africa - Summer rainfall, United Kingdom - cool/temperate, United Kingdom - warm/temperate, USA - Central West Coast, USA - Maritime Northwest, USA - Mid-Atlantic, USA - North East, USA - South East and Gulf States, USA - South West, USA - Upper Midwest

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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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