How and when to plant yacon in the garden

Planting yacon in the garden can be very interesting. It is an Andean culture, related to topinambur, and has many gastronomic and medicinal uses.

how to plant yacon

It’s a tuber with a mild flavor and is known by other names such as llacón, lajuash, aricoma, aricona, yacuma, yacon potato, jicama or jiquimilla. The scientific name of the plant is Smallanthus sonchifolius.

Given its simplicity, planting yacon is recommended because it also adapts perfectly to different climates. It is a perennial plant that can reach 2 meters in height and for each plant can be obtained a production of up to 2 kg of edible tubers.

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Planting Yacón: how and when to do it

The yacon is a plant that develops very well in spring, and preferably in the sun, although it develops very well in partial shade. The ideal temperature for its cultivation is between 10 and 30 degrees, but it can be grown all year round.

In regions where the winter is more powerful, the aerial part of the plant is very likely to die, but not the plant, as soon as the conditions are better it will grow back.

As for the ideal time to plant yacon, it will depend on where you are. In warmer climates this can be done throughout the year, but in more continental climates with harsher winters and frosts we will do this in early spring.

Prepare the ground

The soil should be well prepared, with good drainage, organic matter and a neutral pH. We have already explained on another occasion how to measure soil pHso we recommend that you go through this article if you still don’t know how to do it.

As for soil enrichment, we can add compost or manureto increase nutrients.

yacon to plant

plant yacon

Between the aerial part of the plant and the tuber are the propagules. These are the ones that are used to grow this plant and not the tuber.

This is what we are going to plant. Once we have prepared the ground or the terrace, we make a hole more or less at a depth of about 7 centimeters, this is where we will bury our propagule. It is spread well and it is essential that it has at least four buds for it to be viable. We cover the soil loosely, so that it is not difficult for it to sprout and sprout.

planting distance

If we want to plant more than one propagule, we will leave a planting distance of between 60 and 70 cm between the plants. If we put more than one row, we will leave at least 1 meter between the rows.

After planting or sowing, it is essential to apply very good irrigation to pack the soil and let the magic happen.

Irrigation

Yacon needs a lot of water. But even if it can withstand periods of drought, it would be good to water it at least two to three times a week. Ideally, the substrate should be a little moist, although, as with all root crops, it is very important that there are no puddles in the soil, and for this good drainage is essential. .

100 seeds/pack.  Annual fruit and vegetable seeds...

100 seeds/pack. Annual fruit and vegetable seeds…

  • It usually takes about 1-4 weeks to deliver after the item has been shipped. Please check the delivery time before shopping.
  • Unit Type: lot (100 pieces/lot) Package Weight: 0.020kg (0.04lb) _x000D_ Package Size: 20cm x 10cm x 10cm (7.87in x 3.94in x 3 .94 inches)
  • Product Type: Bonsai Use: Outdoor Plants Cultivation Difficulty Level: Very Easy
  • Classification: new plant

Padded

To improve the humidity of our crop and the quality of the soil, we can apply a padded which will provide organic matter and prevent the appearance of competing weeds or adventitious ones. You can put mowing scraps, leaves or shredded pruning scraps.

The harvest will take between 6 and 12 months, depending on the weather.

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plant yacon

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