Q&A for How to Grow Yams

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  • Question
    What is the difference between a sweet potato and a yam?
    Maggie Moran
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Both sweet potatoes and yams are root vegetables. All yams are actually sweet potatoes.
  • Question
    Are sweet potatoes hard to grow?
    Maggie Moran
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Expert Answer
    They are an easy plant to grow, and just a few plants can offer a good harvest. They are typically found in the south because they require over 4 months of warm temperatures.
  • Question
    How long does it take to grow yams?
    Maggie Moran
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Expert Answer
    It will take about 14 weeks. They require a long, warm season to grow to full maturity.
  • Question
    How do you plant yams?
    Maggie Moran
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Make sure the soil is loose and won't be too hard when the roots begin to expand. Also, make sure it is well drained and the temperature is right.
  • Question
    Do Colorado potato beetles feed on yams and sweet potatoes?
    Community Answer
    It is possible, but unlikely. Sweet potatoes, true yams and potatoes are all in separate families, and are unrelated.
  • Question
    What precautions should I take when planting yams?
    Community Answer
    Well-draining soil, plenty of organic matter, keep in sunlight. The best place is in a northwest part of the garden where it would be sheltered from any northern or eastern winds, which can be extremely cold at times.
  • Question
    What weather do yams grow best in?
    Community Answer
    Tropical and sub-tropical is ideal. After harvesting the yam, have a resting period for about three to four months through out the dry season to make suitable seeds.
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