I want to grow kūmara in a container - what size is best? Do you have any more tips on growing kūmara in pots? Thanks, Annie

Hi Annie, kūmara can be grown in large grow bags or pots around 30-60cm in diameter. The ones that have handles on them are great.

The key to successfully growing kūmara is to keep them shallow. Kūmara growing pits have a hard pan below the top soil, the soil is not deeply dug. Some home gardeners dig a sheet of corrugated iron down into the pit or soil, so that the kūmara do not grow downwards, but go horizontally. The deeper they go, the less kūmara on the plants.

Make sure the runners and shoots do not take root, keep lifting them up to prevent this. The tips from the runners can be picked and added to stir fries and salads.

Use a quality potting mix like Tui Vegetable mix - it's free draining, contains dolomite lime, sheep pellets, blood and bone and has an organic bark base. Feed with Tui Seaweed & Fish every 2-4 weeks and make sure your kūmara are watered throughout the growing season.

Normally kūmara are planted in the garden at 30cm spacings and offset or staggered (in a triangle pattern) so there is space around each plant. In a grow bag they can be grown more intensely, spacing plants at 15-20cm and offset on a diagonal. Make sure they are well watered as they will dry out quickly when planted close together. You should be able to fit at least 20-25 slips in a large grow bag or pot.

I hope this information is helpful.

Lianne