Q.
Hi, with kumara costing more to buy at the supermarket at the moment, I was wondering when the best time to plant it is and if you had any tips? Thanks.
A.
Kumara is a versatile vege and spring is the best time to plant it. Check at your local garden centre then for tubers, or propagate a cutting of your own.
Plant kumara tubers in full sun in a well cultivated soil to a depth of about 30cm. Prepare the area well in advance of planting with Tui Super Sheep Pellets and compost.
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When is the best time to plant kumara? Comments
I wonder now if you can plant kumaras earlier in car tyres, like potatoes.
Lin
I have had great results in growing Kumara in those 50 litre plastic tubs using Tui compost and sheep pellets . When ready to dig I tip these into a wheel barrow and pick out the tubers, these grow big because they have been restricted within the bin.
Rob McLarnon
Great tip Rob, thanks for sharing! - Tui Team
jenna
So how would I go growing kumara in potato bags?
Carol
Hi Carol, we haven't tried them in potato bags, however when growing kumara in containers ensure if is at least 30cm deep and water well over the warmer months. Thanks, Tui Team
jenna
Hi Rob. How many tubers would you use in 1 container? Do you layer them like potatoes? Cheers Tim
Tim
It depends on the size of the container you are using but to answer your question no you dont need to layer as they will grow tubers all the way from the top of the container to the bottom.
blue
What is the grow period for garlic
Dianne Conroy
Hi Dianne, it is approximately 6 months. Traditionally garlic is planted on the shortest day in June and harvested on the longest day in December. Harvest once the tops start to die back. Dig up with a fork and leave to dry on the top of the ground for a week or so, then plait the leaves of several bulbs together and store somewhere dry and away from direct sunlight. Happy gardening from the Tui Team.
jenna
To start Kumara off can you put them in sand and cover then put them in the hot water cupboard? How long to shoot?
Guy Thorn
Hi Guy, find a nice firm medium sized kumara that has a few "eyes" on it. Lay the kumara in a tray or container with pumice that has been moistened, not wet, cover the kumara completely and as long as it is placed somewhere warm, you should see shoots emerging within 2-3 weeks. If placing it in the hot water cupboard you will need to keep an eye on the sprouts and as soon as they emerge, get them into sunlight otherwise they will be weak, long and spindly. You could place the new shoots on a sunny windowsill, anywhere warm and sunny, warmth is the secret. Make sure the pumice stays damp during the sprouting process. Once the shoots are 10-20cm long and have roots, they can be removed from the kumara and planted, plant in November when the risk of frost has gone, feed your new plants every 2-4 weeks with Tui Organic Seaweed Plant tonic to help stimulate root growth.
Lianne