To plant yams successfully, follow these key steps:
Site and Soil Preparation
- Choose a sunny location with well-drained, fertile soil. Yams prefer soil enriched with plenty of compost or organic matter to improve fertility and drainage
- If soil is heavy or poorly drained, consider making raised beds or mounds to ensure good drainage
- Work organic fertilizers such as compost, sheep pellets, or potato food into the soil before planting, and water well to settle the soil
Planting Yams
- Use healthy yam tubers, potted yam plants, or yam cuttings with visible buds or eyes
- Plant tubers or cuttings about 3-5 cm deep, with the shoots or buds facing upwards
- Space plants about 40-60 cm apart to allow room for vine growth and tuber development
- For trench planting, dig trenches about 15 cm deep and plant the yams with shoots facing up, covering with soil
- If growing in large pots or sacks, use containers at least 50-60 cm deep and wide with good drainage, filled with nutrient-rich, well-draining soil
Supporting Growth
- Provide a trellis, fence, or support for yam vines to climb, as they grow quickly and vigorously
- Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds
- Keep soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells, but avoid waterlogging to prevent rot
Care and Maintenance
- Mound soil around shoots as they grow to protect them and encourage tuber development
- Keep the area weed-free and watch for pests like aphids, white butterflies, slugs, and snails
- Regular watering is critical, especially in warmer months, to avoid heat stress and poor tuber production
Harvesting
- Harvest yams when the leaves start to yellow and die back, usually in autumn or early winter
- Yams can be left in the ground after foliage dies back if the soil is not waterlogged, allowing tubers to swell fully
- Store harvested yams in a cool, dry, dark place for up to six months
By following these steps, you can grow healthy yam plants that produce good- sized tubers
