When to Plant Yacon in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide

Plant now in Arid / Semi-Arid
What this month normally looks like in Arid / Semi-Arid

In October the Arid / Semi-Arid zone normally runs 32°C by day and 16°C overnight, with about 19 mm of rain over 2 or 3 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was 1.9°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 10 postcodes, SILO.

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  1. Planting calendar
  2. How to grow
  3. Local tips and varieties
  4. Pests and problems
  5. Harvesting
  6. Storing and preserving
  7. Other zones and related crops
  8. Common questions

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This Yacon guide is written for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, which takes in Alice Springs, Broken Hill and Port Augusta. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Planting window
Sep to Oct
Days to harvest
about 26 weeks
Sun
Full sun to part shade
Water
Low
Spacing
60 cm apart
Soil pH
5.5–7.0

Yacon (Peruvian ground apple) is an unusual South American root crop producing large, sweet, crunchy tubers that can be eaten raw like fruit.

Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

Yacon

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Best Planting Window for Arid / Semi-Arid

  • Jan -
  • Feb -
  • Mar -
  • Apr -
  • May -
  • Jun -
  • Jul -
  • Aug -
  • Sep P
  • Oct P
  • Nov -
  • Dec -

P = Planting window

Plant sprouting crown pieces after the last frost and water well through summer. Dig the tubers once frost blackens the tops; they are sweeter afterwards.

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How to Grow Yacon in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia

Soil
Rich, friable, well-drained soil. Grows in a wide range of soils but crops best in deep, fertile loam with plenty of organic matter. Avoid waterlogged conditions.
Salt
Moderately sensitive. Copes with a little salt, but the harvest drops on salty bore water.
pH Range
5.5-7.0
Sunlight
Full sun to light shade. Tolerates some shade but yields best in full sun.
Spacing
60cm apart, 90cm between rows
Watering
Water regularly during establishment and dry periods. Yacon is surprisingly drought-tolerant once established but yields more with consistent moisture. Reduce watering after the top growth dies back in autumn.
Good companions
Sweet Corn, Sunflower, Jerusalem artichoke
Keep away from
No known antagonisms
Grow before it
Fruiting crops (Tomato, Capsicum, Zucchini)
Grow after it
Legumes (Beans - Dwarf, Peas, Broad Beans)

Give the bed 3 turns before root crops go back in. Roots fork and go leafy in fresh manure, so they take the bed after the heavy feeders have used it.

Members see the exact salt threshold, how much harvest it loses as salt rises, and what to grow instead. See what members get

Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Yacon

Recommended Varieties

  • Standard yacon

Key Challenges

  • High water requirements in extreme heat
  • Hot dry winds may stress plants

Pro Tips

  • The warmth is excellent for yacon but irrigation is essential
  • Drip irrigation under heavy mulch
  • Provide some afternoon shade in extreme heat (above 40C)

Pests and problems for Yacon in Arid / Semi-Arid

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Browse the full pest library →

Harvesting Yacon

When ready: Top growth withers and dies back naturally (triggered by shorter days and cooler temperatures). DO NOT harvest early. Tubers continue to sweeten as the plant dies back. Wait until ALL foliage is completely dead. This typically takes 6-7 months from planting.

How to harvest: Cut dead stalks to ground level. Use a garden fork inserted 30-40cm from the base. Lift the entire clump carefully. Separate the two types of underground growth: (1) REDDISH RHIZOMES at the crown base, save for replanting; (2) LARGE BROWN TUBERS below. These are for eating. Handle tubers gently as skin is thin. Sun-dry tubers for a few days to sweeten further.

Storing and preserving yacon

How to keep it
  • Sun-Curing and Cool Storage. After harvest, sun-dry tubers for 1-2 weeks in a warm, airy spot (out of rain). This converts some FOS to simpler sugars, increasing sweetness. Store in a cool (10-15C), dark place. Do not refrigerate. Cold temperatures damage the texture. Keeps: 2-4 months after curing.
  • Refrigerator Storage (short-term). Wrap individual tubers in paper towels inside plastic bags. Store in crisper drawer. Note: refrigeration is not ideal but extends short-term life. Keeps: 2-4 weeks.
  • Dehydrating. Peel and slice thinly (3mm). Dip in lemon water to prevent browning. Dehydrate at 55C for 8-12 hours until crisp. Store in airtight containers. Makes sweet, crunchy chips. Keeps: 12 months.
  • Freezing. Peel and cut into chunks. Blanch 2 minutes. Ice bath, drain. Freeze on trays then bag. Texture changes when thawed. Best for cooking or smoothies. Keeps: 10-12 months.
  • Yacon Syrup. Peel and juice tubers (use a juicer or grate and squeeze through cloth). Simmer juice gently for 4-6 hours until reduced to a thick, dark syrup. Do not boil vigorously. Bottle in sterilised jars. Yacon syrup is a low-calorie, prebiotic sweetener. Keeps: 6-12 months sealed, refrigerated.

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What members get

  • Soil and weather from your nearest station
  • An email when it's time to sow
  • Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
  • Price history and price alerts
  • Pest risk alerts for your area
  • Full salt and canning detail

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Common Questions About Yacon

When do you plant yacon in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

When should I plant Yacon in Alice Springs?

Plant sprouting crown pieces after the last frost and water well through summer. Dig the tubers once frost blackens the tops; they are sweeter afterwards.

How do I know when Yacon are ready to harvest?

Top growth withers and dies back naturally (triggered by shorter days and cooler temperatures). DO NOT harvest early. Tubers continue to sweeten as the plant dies back. Wait until ALL foliage is completely dead. This typically takes 6-7 months from planting.

What are the best Yacon varieties for Alice Springs?

Recommended varieties for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone include: Standard yacon.

What grows well with Yacon?

Good companion plants for Yacon include: Sweet Corn, Sunflower, Jerusalem artichoke.

Are yacon salt tolerant?

Only a little. Yacon are moderately sensitive to salt, so the harvest drops on salty bore water. Mix salty water with rainwater, and mulch the bed.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, Alice Springs is its reference city.