Growing Yam/Oca, also Oka

Oxalis tuberosa : Oxalidaceae / the wood sorrel family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      P                

(Best months for growing Yam/Oca in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Plant tubers
  • Plant tubers about 5cm (1.5") deep covered with soil. Best planted at soil temperatures between 63°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 12 - 18 inches apart
  • Harvest in 15-20 weeks. Leave in the ground until foliage has completely died down so tubers reach maximum size.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Best in separate bed

Your comments and tips

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
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
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?
09 Mar 16, Jan Torode (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted a few NZ yams (shop bought for consumption) at the beginning of spring. Did all the things recommended and waited for the tops to dieback before digging. So disappointed. Not one yam!!! Could they have been yams grown deliberately not to reproduce? Jan
28 Dec 15, Carole Snowdon (Australia - temperate climate)
Have been unable to find what I would call Kumara in Aus, as described by Chris Hanson, but a much smaller tuber than the sweet potatoes of all types we get here commercially. I suspect import restrictions may prevent them coming here, but did get some at a NZ Day celebration in Canberra some years ago. If you find some please let me know I miss them also. I have just received in the middle of summer, my yam tubers (Oca) but living in the Central Coast need to know if I can plant them in a container now in a mostly shady spot will that be okay. It gets pretty hot here in summer.
30 Dec 15, John (USA - Zone 9b climate)
If you have any relatives or friends in Tonga, Kumara were very common there when I was visiting some years ago.
11 Jul 15, Lyn Austen (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Chris,I too am looking for the old fashioned knobbly skinny kumara tubers. Even in nz my family complain the taste has gone from the larger tubers which I assume has been developed for commercial use. I will keep looking and let you know when I find them,Lyn Austen
05 Apr 15, lionel (Australia - temperate climate)
where can i buy new zealand yams in australia?
03 Aug 13, nola matthews (Australia - temperate climate)
Try Diggers Club. hey sell them in bulb form & in pots at certain times of the year. Hope this helps
21 May 10, Paul (Australia - temperate climate)
I'd be interested in buying some Oca / Yam seed in WA. Does anyone know of any?
Showing 141 - 150 of 181 comments

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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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