When to Plant Yacon in Canberra — Cold / Highland Guide
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Yacon (Peruvian ground apple) is an unusual South American root crop producing large, sweet, crunchy tubers that can be eaten raw like fruit. It stores energy as fructooligosaccharides (FOS) rather than starch, making it very low calorie and prebiotic. The plant grows like a sunflower (1.5-2m tall), is virtually pest-free, and produces prolifically. Propagated from rhizomes, not seed.
How to Grow Yacon in Cold / Highland Australia
When to Plant
Very marginal. Start indoors September. Plant out late November. Growing season may be too short for good tuber formation.
- 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.
- 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 i
Companion plants: Sunflower, Corn, Jerusalem Artichoke
Avoid planting near: No known antagonisms
Cold / Highland Growing Tips for Yacon
Recommended Varieties
- Standard yacon (if attempting)
Key Challenges
- Short frost-free season
- Insufficient warmth for full development
- Early autumn frosts kill foliage before tubers mature
Pro Tips
- Experimental at best in cold highland areas
- Greenhouse growing is the most reliable approach
- Large pots or containers that can be moved indoors for frost protection
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.
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