Leslie Massey
New Zealand yams, also known as oca, are a sweet-tasting tuber that is native to the South American Andes. In this article, we will explore how to grow NZ yams in Australia, including the ideal climate, soil, and care conditions. NZ yams are a nutritious and delicious crop that can be easily grown with the right techniques, and we will provide a step-by-step guide to help you get started. With their distinct pinky-red colour and hint of lemon flavour, NZ yams are a unique and rewarding addition to any garden.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What are NZ yams? | Yams are popular in New Zealand but originate from the South American Andes where they are known as oca. |
| How are they different from other yams? | NZ yams are different from the tropical yams grown in other cultures. Some large vegetables known as ‘yams’ are in fact sweet potatoes similar to kūmara. |
| What do they look like? | The tubers are segmented-looking, with a glossy sheen, approximately 15cm long. Colour is usually pinky-red, but also can be bright apricot or yellow. |
| What do they taste like? | The tubers are sweet tasting with just a hint of lemon flavour. |
| How are they eaten? | They’re great for roasting, steaming, stir-fries, boiling or mashing; you can use them just like potatoes. They do not need to be peeled. |
| What are their nutritional benefits? | They are one of the highest vegetable sources of carbohydrates, energy, folate, vitamin A, vitamin B6 and potassium. |
| When to plant them? | September to December is a good time to plant in New Zealand. Start them in pots in October if your soil is not warm enough. |
| How to plant them? | Choose a sunny spot with plenty of space. Prepare the soil with sheep pellets, compost and potato food. Water the soil and leave for a few days before planting. |
| How much water do they need? | NZ yams like a lot of water. Keep the soil moist and the area free of weeds. |
| How much space do they need? | Allow 50cm per plant for the tubers to grow to their best size. |
| How deep should they be planted? | Plant tubers at 5cm deep. If planting potted yams, plant to the same depth they were in the pot. A 40 cm spacing will bring nice fat yams. |
| How long do they take to grow? | The tubers put on most of their growth late in the season. Harvest after the first or second frost, because the cold improves the flavour and sweetness. |
| How to store them? | Tubers can be stored in a cool, dry, well-aired place for a few months. |
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Preparing the soil
NZ yams, or oca, are not true yams but are instead a type of tuber. They are easy to grow and packed with nutrients. They are best grown in cooler climates and well-drained soil.
When preparing the soil, it is important to ensure that it is rich and has good drainage. If your soil is heavy clay or has poor drainage, you can build a raised bed or plant the yams in pots. Choose a sunny spot with plenty of space and water the soil well. Allow the water to soak in for a few days before planting.
To prepare the soil, mix in sheep pellets, compost, and potato food. You can also use a certified organic garden input with NZ Seaweed to enrich the soil and encourage a strong and healthy root system. Alternatively, a premium potting mix can be used for potted plants.
When planting, dig trenches around 15cm deep and 50cm apart. Space the yams generously at 40cm to allow for larger tubers. Plant the yams with the shoots facing upwards and cover with soil. Mound the yams with more soil as the shoots grow to protect them from wind and frost and to encourage tuber development.
NZ yams require a lot of water, so keep the soil moist and free of weeds to prevent issues with aphids, white butterflies, slugs, and snails.
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When to plant
In Australia, NZ yams are typically grown in cooler climates, where the cool winter temperatures signal time for tuber growth. In warmer areas, NZ yams can be grown in semi-shade.
The best time to plant NZ yams is after the risk of frost has passed, usually from late October to November. In cooler regions, yams can be harvested after the first or second frost, as the cold improves their flavour and sweetness.
To get a head start, you can begin your yams in pots in a greenhouse in October, as they require warmth (around 18°C) to germinate. Fill a pot a third full with potting mix, place the yam inside, and then top it up with more mix. If your soil is warm enough, you can skip this step and plant the yams directly into the garden.
When planting yams, dig trenches around 15cm deep, leaving 50cm between each trench. Place the yams in the trenches with the shoots facing upwards and cover them with soil. Mound the yams with soil or Tui Vegetable Mix as the shoots grow to protect them from wind and frost and to encourage tuber development.
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How to plant
New Zealand yams, or oca, are not true yams but are instead a type of tuber. They are easy to grow and do not suffer from pests or diseases. They can be grown in the ground or in pots, but they should be planted in a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
To grow NZ yams in the ground, prepare the soil with sheep pellets, compost, and potato food. Water the soil and leave it for a few days before planting. From September to December, plant the tubers 5cm deep and 50cm apart. Mound the yams with soil or Tui Vegetable Mix as shoots grow to protect them and encourage tuber development. Keep the soil moist and weed-free, and add mulch during dry spells and in summer to keep the soil cool.
To grow NZ yams in pots, fill a medium-sized pot with at least 3L of potting mix. Place the yam in the pot and cover it with more potting mix. Keep the pots in a sunny or partially shaded spot and keep the soil moist.
NZ yams are ready to harvest in the autumn, but it is best to wait until after the first frost as this improves the flavour and sweetness of the tubers. Dig up all the tubers and leave them to dry before storing them in a cool, dry place.
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How to nourish
To nourish your NZ yams, you must first prepare the soil. A bed of good compost is all you need, but you can also add sheep pellets and potato food. Water the soil well and leave it for a few days before planting.
Yams require plenty of sun and well-drained soil. They also need a lot of water, so keep the soil moist, and be sure to water during dry spells—they hate to dry out.
To encourage tuber development, mound your yams with Tui Vegetable Mix as shoots grow, until they are approximately 300mm tall. This also protects them from wind and frost and prevents light from reaching the tubers.
Keep the area free of weeds to keep aphids, white butterflies, slugs and snails at bay. Add layers of mulch in summer to keep the soil cool and give you a bigger crop.
Yams are ready to harvest in autumn, but it's best to wait until after a frost, as this helps to sweeten them. The tubers don't swell until very late in the season, so don't be in a hurry to harvest. The longer you can leave the tubers in the soil, the better.
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Harvesting
NZ yams, or oca, are sweet-tasting tubers that are easy to grow and packed with nutrients. They are ready for harvesting in autumn, but it is best to wait until after the first frost as this improves their flavour and sweetness. The cold weather before harvest and the frost itself help to fatten and sweeten the yams.
To harvest, dig out all the soil into a wheelbarrow and sift through it to find the tubers. Make sure to dig up all the tubers and scraps, otherwise, they will aggressively sprout the following season. You can leave the tubers lying out in the sun for a week or so after harvesting to help sweeten them further by reducing the oxalic acid in the skin.
The tubers can then be stored in a cool, dry, well-aired place for a few months. They should be kept in a breathable container that will retain moisture but still allow airflow.
If you live in a cooler region, you can also leave the yams in the ground and harvest them as required.
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Frequently asked questions
The best time to plant NZ yams is after the last frost, usually from September to December in New Zealand.
NZ yams can be planted directly into the garden if the soil is warm enough. Otherwise, you can start them in pots in a greenhouse or on a windowsill until the risk of frost has passed and the soil has reached 18°C. Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil, and water regularly to keep the soil moist.
Mound the yams with soil or Tui Vegetable Mix as shoots grow to protect them and encourage tuber development. Keep the area free of weeds and add mulch during dry spells and in summer to keep the soil cool.
