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 New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Plant tubers
  • 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 (can grow beside): Best in separate bed

Your comments and tips

07 Oct 20, Angie (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I haven’t seen yams in garden store can I grow the ones from the supermarket? We live just out of Maungaturoto is this a suitable climate soil is excellent. Many thanks
08 Oct 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Work out your climate zone from the blue at top and then check yams - similar to potatoes.
18 Sep 20, ERIK (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Hobart Tasmania, I saw the OCA at Hill Street Grocer and decided to try it i liked what i tried and went back and bought a couple of kilo 1 kilo to eat and the other to let chit and then i will plant it out. I know it isn't seed quality but it was grown in Tasmania so expect it will be ok to plant, I was unable to purchase OCA seed. Hope this helps. PS The OCA was only available at the West Hobart shop at the time and i haven't seen at the others.
19 Jun 20, Hayley (Australia - tropical climate)
Hello can you grow Oca in the tropics maybe during the cooler drieronths? No frost up here, just concerned about planting in the wet season as its ver hot 35 degrees plus most days.
20 Jun 20, Anonymous (Australia - tropical climate)
Look at the notes here regarding planting time and harvest time.
17 May 20, Matthew Malcolm (Australia - temperate climate)
looking for some NZ Oka/ yam seed in Tasmania if anyone knows where i could get some
04 Jun 22, Lisa (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Malcom, in Tasmania you can usually find oca for sale as providence growers (Salamanca market or roadside stall at Nieka), and sometimes in store when it’s harvest time at hill st, young’s veggie shed and organic grocers.
14 Mar 22, Gaye (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
This is the best place I have found - Daleys Fruit https://www.daleysfruit.com.au/search.php?q2=oca
19 May 20, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try on the internet.
04 Apr 20, Suzanne Blackwood (Australia - temperate climate)
I am seeking Yellow Yam in Australia. I live in Perth Western Australia. I want to grow the yam for personal use. I think Jamaican Yam is of the plant species in the genus Dioscorea. Are you able to assist please?
Showing 11 - 20 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. GardenGrow 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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