Growing Sweet Potato, also Kumara

Ipomoea batatas : Convolvulaceae / the morning glory family

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

(Best months for growing Sweet Potato in Australia - temperate regions)

  • P = Plant crowns
  • Plant shoots or cuttings (Slips). Best planted at soil temperatures between 63°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 16 - 24 inches apart
  • Harvest in 15-17 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Best in Separate bed

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
07 Jun 15, Nins Ricci (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Send me your addess by email. I have heaps of the real NZ Kumera, purple with white flesh and spots inside. Will nail you some runners. Also in Qld. Mine growing crazy but have not yet had a harvest.
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30 Apr 24, Ali (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hello Nins, hope all is well! Do u still have Kumara runners?
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26 Jun 22, Tracy M (Australia - arid climate)
Hello, would I be able to pay for some runners also? I assume they can grow in Melbourne's climate? Many thanks!!
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30 Sep 21, Matthew Steele (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hello, I have been looking everywhere for these delightful New Zealand Kumura for years. May I also ask if you would mail me some runners? Happy to pay! Many Thanks.
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04 Sep 20, Rick (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Nins, another kiwi missing his beloved kumara. I imagine you've been inundated with similar requests for runners. Happy to pay something and/or donate to Gardenate if you have plants and the time. thanks Rick
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07 Nov 21, Ian (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi I've just stumbled across this thread to NZ kumera, by any chance did you manage to source any runners. Thanks
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03 Jul 17, Jenny (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Nins If you have any more of the nz kumara i would be most appreciative if you could share a runner or cutting. Jenny
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27 May 16, Meia (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Nins, hoping you are still perusing these pages.. i am really hoping you still have, and are willing to post on some tubers. Thanks ;)
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04 Sep 15, Hamish (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Nins, I am also very interested in real NZ Kumara if you had some spare Thanks Hamish
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15 Aug 15, Elaine (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Nins Might I impose on you for some of those NZ kumara runners? I have been desperately trying to find a source over here in Aust. The ones here are nothing like NZ kumara. Many thanks Lainey
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Showing 231 - 240 of 316 comments
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Plant the tubers that you want to grow but in a separate bed. They will sprout lots of shoots which will also have roots near the base. When the shoots are 40 to 50 cm long put a fork under the tuber and gently lift it out. Separate the shoots and plant them in the bed you have prepared for them as indicated in the article above. Last year, before I knew this, I planted several tubers where I wanted them to grow but after learning the right method I dug up three and planted out about 50 slips. The slips can be left in water while you are waiting to plant them out and in a few days mine put out prolific roots where the base was under water. You can also start the sprouting inside, cutting the tops off tubers and putting the cut down in shallow water, then planting them out when they start to sprout. Roots will also start growing but later than the shoots. Look for the eyes in the tubers as they are where the shoots come from.

- Paul

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