When to Plant Yams in California: A Guide for the Perplexed
So, you want to grow yams in California, huh? Well, hold your horses, or should I say, hold your sweet potato slips! This isn't as simple as sticking a tuber in the ground and hoping for the best. There's a whole science (or at least, a decent amount of knowledge) involved.
Yams or Sweet Potatoes? Let's Clear Things Up
First things first, let's get one thing straight: we're talking about sweet potatoes, not yams. Yams are a completely different thing, and they're not commonly grown in California. So, let's ditch the "yams" talk and focus on the delicious, versatile sweet potato.
Timing is Everything (Almost)
California is a big place, and the climate varies wildly from north to south. So, there's no one-size-fits-all answer to when to plant your sweet potato slips. But here's a general guideline:
- Southern California: You lucky ducks can start planting as early as April. The key is to wait until the soil temperature reaches around 70°F.
- Central California: Aim for May. Again, wait for that sweet 70°F soil temperature.
- Northern California: You might need to wait until June. Patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to sweet potatoes.
Other Factors to Consider
- Soil Temperature: As mentioned, soil temperature is crucial. Sweet potatoes are tropical plants, so they love it warm.
- Frost: These delicate darlings hate frost. Make sure the threat of frost has passed before planting.
- Sunlight: Sweet potatoes are sun-worshippers. Give them at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Sweet Potato Slips: The Real Deal
You can't just plant a whole sweet potato in the ground and expect it to grow. You need slips. These are little plant starts that grow from the sweet potato. You can buy them or start them yourself.
Harvesting Your Sweet Potato Bounty
After all that hard work, you'll be itching to dig up those sweet potatoes. But don't get too excited. You'll need to wait at least 90-120 days after planting. And remember, the longer you leave them in the ground, the sweeter they'll be.
So, there you have it. A basic guide to planting sweet potatoes in California. Remember, gardening is an adventure, so don't be afraid to experiment and learn from your mistakes.
How-To FAQs
- How to start sweet potato slips: Place a sweet potato in a glass of water or moist soil until sprouts form.
- How to prepare the soil for sweet potatoes: Loosen the soil to a depth of about 8 inches and incorporate compost or manure.
- How to space sweet potato slips: Plant slips about 12-18 inches apart and rows 3-4 feet apart.
- How to water sweet potatoes: Water deeply and infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
- How to store sweet potatoes: Cure them in a warm, dry place for a few weeks before storing in a cool, dark place.