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

03 Jul 14, John (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
New Zealand Yams [occa] tubers available for the coming season.Please contact John at- [email protected] Devonport Tasmania.
18 Jul 17, Gail James (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have bought some tubas. But unsure when to plant. Now living in Ridgley Tasmania. Can the tubas be left in garden or do they need to be lifted each year. Many years since I've grown them. Thanks. Gail
02 Jul 14, Christine de Koning (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hello, I would like to know I have planted my yams few months ago and planted them in a pot.will they grow ok. I was thinking of transferring them into the garden.will they still grow ok. They have some leaves growing on the plant and cought the chocks eating the leaves. Will they grow back. Regards Christine
05 Jul 14, John Studte (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Christine.Yes you can transplant them.They are very hardy and it takes a lot to hurt them.They will grow in pots quite ok also.John. [email protected]
16 Jun 14, Karin (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks John Yams arrived! Planting ones are in 3 very large tubs-when I grew them in NZ they tended to take over! First eating lot were roasted with hogget and kumara,second lot bolied with cheese sauce and then third feed sliced and used in stir fry-thank you again from an expat kiwi missing the taste
30 May 14, Travis (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi just wondering when i should plant my yams, i live in lakes entrance victoria, cheers.
16 May 14, Michael Sellings (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi John, I realise the forum i have been looking at was posted during 2012 but I have a client who wishes to grow Yams in melbourne. I have looked at the growing conditions required and now would like to check out possible sources. Thank you Michael
28 Apr 14, shack (United Kingdom - cool/temperate climate)
hi okra do not grow like potatoes they grow above ground (True, but you are posting under OKA/Yam a completely different plant - Liz)
28 Apr 14, shack (United Kingdom - cool/temperate climate)
where would I buy ham seeds from thought it was difficult to grow unless you have means of keeping them warm
28 Mar 14, TRICIA.BAMBU (Australia - temperate climate)
WHERE DO YAMS ORIGINATE?
Showing 81 - 90 of 181 comments

I'd go with the online info. We plant October/November, harvesting May/June (better after the first frost). They can take their time to really take off - ours had minimal foliage until March.

- Richard Grevers

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