Yacon
Tall plants with crisp, sweet storage tubers; grown from crown divisions.
Yacon (Crown)
£6.99 in the shop
Calendar
Sow
April indoors from crowns
Plant out
Keep the crown for replanting; cure harvested tubers for a sweeter flavour.
Harvest
October–November before hard frost
Conditions
Sun
Full sun, 6–8 hours a day
Water
Keep soil consistently moist, especially during tuber development. Reduce watering slightly as harvest approaches.
Soil
Light, sandy, well-draining, pH 5.5–6.5. Avoid heavy, clay soils.
Spacing
30cm between plants, 90cm between rows.
Containers
Possible in large, deep containers (min. 40-50cm deep) or raised beds.
Indoors
Best grown under cover (greenhouse, polytunnel) in the UK for reliable yields. Can be tried outdoors in the warmest, sunniest, most sheltered sites.
Care and harvest
Feeding
A balanced feed every 3-4 weeks once established. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds which encourage leaf growth over tubers.
Pruning
Pinch back vines if they become too vigorous or grow outside their allotted space. Young leaves can be harvested and eaten like spinach.
Harvesting
Keep the crown for replanting; cure harvested tubers for a sweeter flavour.
Storage
Store cured sweet potatoes in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place (12-15°C) for several months.
Good companions: Sweetcorn, Oregano, Thyme, Bush beans