Growing Kumara in a container - what size container works best. Any tips different than what you have in your section on growing kumara? Thanks Annie

Hi Annie, Kumara can be grown in large grow bags or pots, the ones that have handles on them are great, 30-60cm in diameter or similar. The key to successfully growing kumara is to keep them shallow, kumara 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 kumara do not grow downwards, but go horizontally. The deeper they go, the less kumara 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, Tui Vegetable mix is ideal, it is 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 they are watered throughout the growing season.

Normally kumara are planted in the garden at 30cm spacings and off set or staggered (in a triangle pattern) so there is space around each plant. In a grow bag they can be grown more  intensely, space plants at 15-20cm spacings, off set on a diagonal, make sure they are well watered as they will dry out quickly as they are 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