Growing Jicama

Bill finally figures out how to grow Jicama the Mexican Yam Bean, Pachyrhisus erosus. It only took me 40 years and three different states of the union before I got the hang of it.

[@pedroortizsalcido]

Here in Texas we just slice them, squeeze a little bit of lime and chilli powder on them. Makes for a great summer snack.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Sounds good. I make a salsa from them with similar ingredients. Lime, Jicama chunks, chili, salt & cumin. Aloha

[@vnj]

Really informative thanks for sharing

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

You're welcome.

[@nicolejessy4738]

Im growing purple and orange sweet potstoes too . I also have the white ones , I grow them in big buckets ,and i also cook and eat the vines .

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

These are very good food. The antioxidants in the Purple will let you live for ever!

[@estebancorral5151]

It is traditionally eaten with sprinkled lemon or lime juice on raw slices. If that is still to bland, add hot chili powder.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I like it with salt, lime, cumin, onion and chili as a salsa.

[@ChrisDz-]

Jicama tastes amazing with some lime juice and some chili powder like Tajin

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I like to chop it with onion, chilies, cilantro, salt and lime for salsa.

[@H20-Vital]

Thank you so much . Excelente explanation vídeo . I live in SW Florida . I planted yacom few times . It died everytime . I gave up . Please make a video how to grow yacom . I would like to try again . Thank you .

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnO6qaKGrrCFiZI&ab_channel=GreenGardenGuy1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZfNZZmHa56omNE&ab_channel=GreenGardenGuy1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/jabSnGaVoLt4lbs&ab_channel=GreenGardenGuy1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4XdkGSpp9iLmKc&ab_channel=GreenGardenGuy1

[@kater4052]

Also note, not only are the vines toxic like potatoes, so are the skins. You must peel them before eating.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I never considered eating the skin because it is very tough but that is good information. I did not know.

[@arthorim]

Kate I ate tons of baby jicama skins when I was a kid just washed until it gets white color and I had never had an issue. Its tough to eat like that though . We used them with mandarines and other fruits as piñata filling for Christmas and new years parties

[@sub04aru]

Great video. First time watching and have subscribed. Growing jicama in KY this year but it looks like I’m gonna have to try the container method depending on what I get come fall.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

The main problem with Jicama is the bulb cycle corresponds to the shortest days of the year. Vine and flower growth is triggered by long days. In KY it is probably too cold in winter for the plant to complete the bulb. Seed is planted in September here, makes a bulb by New Years and is harvested. I leave a couple over summer for more seeds. Aloha

[@love-lb4bt]

It's delicious with a little lemon and salt.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I love it with lime, salt and chili.

[@agavebob3462]

Slice the skin off about 1/8" , cut into quarters then slice into pieces, put into a large bowl and squeeze several limes over it and refrigerate for about 4 hours then sprinkle chile salt (TAJIN) and enjoy !!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Similar, I cube it, mix with chili, onions, salt and lime juice as salsa.

[@joansmith3492]

I planted some Jicama seed in my garden (dallas, tx) last spring? and forgot about it. Last fall I was wondering what "bean" had come up in the garden. It was pretty with big meaty bean pods. Thankfully I didn't try to eat any of the beans because the Jicama seed is reportedly poisonous. But when I got around to pulling it up there was a tuber attached and I realized it was jicama. It was a small tuber about 1/3 the size of the one you showed and it was dry and fiberous. I think I will try it again in the fall in pot in my "slap together" greenhouse I erect every year for my kumquat. thanks for the video!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Only the root portion of jicama is edible. The leaves, flowers and vines of the plant contain rotenone, a natural insecticide designed to protect the plant from predators. Eating any of these parts of the plant can cause a toxic reaction. While the seed pods can sometimes be eaten when young, the mature pods are toxic. If you sow the seeds in fall you might succeed with the greenhouse. Bill

[@babeedoll64]

That’s what I wanted to see, the beans.... glad you didn’t try eating them though!

[@missgoodvibes8912]

Hey guys for asian cooking the young beans of jicama is actually delicious in asian cooking! We never consider it poisonous. It is actually one of my favorite vegetable. Here in Cali they sell it too expensive.

[@dstack1014]

Thank you! I'm growing it for the first time, and from seed here in S. Florida. I've been wondering whether to plant it in my trellised garden bed, and now I'm going to try it in pots as well as the bed. I appreciate the help on this, although now I know this is the wrong time of the year. Now I know. And I also just started my first yacon plants, and I see from earlier comments that it's a long day crop.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

During the long days it makes vines, seeds and flowers. During the short days it only makes a short vine and develops the tuber. Until I moved to Hawaii and grew this tender crop in the winter I never had any luck with it. The solution is simple as long as you have a near tropical climate or a greenhouse. You re welcome, Bill

[@chrispalombo6394]

So I love the teaching. And I love the Hawaii part, with its exotic plants and life. But... My favorite part is when he first eats stuff, and calculates what he is about to say.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Glad you enjoy the show.

[@MYPERMACULTUREGARDEN]

Thank you so much for this video ! very well narrated, did not bore me at all ! I am getting ready to plant JICAMA in my food forest garden. I am Latin American and love the taste of JICAMA . I hope I can get some to form ! ~~~~Blessings ,,, Irene

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Latin America is a big place so I don't know what side of the equator you are on. In any case the seeds are planted on the first day of fall and crop harvested by the first day of winter. If planted out of this seasonal window all you will get is vines and flowers. Spring through fall is the plants bloom season.

[@VideoconferencingUSA]

A wireless or wired microphone would improve your audio immensely.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I use a $250 wired dynamic microphone mounted on the top of my camera. I would hope this is good enough. This video may have been done with the old camera that had the internal mikes. Can't recall. Check videos from 2019 and 2018 to see if the sound quality meets your standards. I have some professional Shure recording mikes worth $800 each in the guitar studio but I don't dare take them outside.

[@VideoconferencingUSA]

After I hit “enter” I knew that I should have checked some of your newest videos. Sorry, your audio seems great now. :) aloha

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@VideoconferencingUSA Audio has always varied a bit depending on wind and conditions. The new system I can use a "dead cat" to muffle wind if it is hard. I still have some issues because the mike is highly directional and fades a bit when i work behind the camera. It is much better than the old set up though. Sometimes being a one man show is less than perfect but I continue never the less.

[@agavebob3462]

Audio sound great to me... great video, thanks. SW NewMex

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@agavebob3462 I didn't notice the problem either. My sound quality continuously improves though.

[@vnj]

They are actually from Peru i believe

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Where plants come from isn't usually very specific because their ranges do not honor the artificial boundaries humans place on landscape. All searches for origin of this plant state Mexico and Central America as the original home. Peru is in South America so it is not usually considered the original home. Archaeologists have confirmed that Jicama did exist in Peru as early as 3000 BC so it appears the plant was also in South America in early times. Good crops get around. It was likely moved to South America a long time ago.

[@vnj]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 true indeed

[@agavebob3462]

Best video on YT for anyone wanting to grow Jicama...thank you

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Thanks Bob. Jicama can be a confusing crop.

[@nancyfahey7518]

Thank you Bill. I just bought a root and researching how to grow. I think I'll plant it anyway for flowers and seeds. I'll let it grow up the Loquat tree. It's a nice springtime in Florida now.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

For sure yo will need a tree. Last time I did this the vines were over 30 feet long. Save the seeds and sow them in September for the tasty tubers.

[@mariaavinafranco8046]

Any ideas, suggestions to be able to grow them in Wisconsin?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Since it needs the short days of October to December to bulb I would say it is too cold at that time in WI. I once grew it in Wisconsin by spring planting. All it did was make a huge vine. About the time it was ready to start making a bulb it froze. Aloha

[@GardenloveHomestead]

This was great information. Thank you and i love the stories. I really want to grow jicama. So start in September 🤔thanks

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

It is one of the simplest crops as long as you have a tropical environment and plant it in September. Aloha

[@SHARONSHORTOrchidsandGarden]

Wow, that looked delicious..thanks for sharing and happy growing 🌱

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

This was the first time I figured out how to grow a crop. Finding it will produce nice tubers in one gallon containers opens up a lot of possibilities. Even for gardeners that don't live in Puna. Bill

[@Anna_ep]

Do you have an Asian market or Filipino market nearby? Try it with Bagoong or shrimp paste. Use sparingly though. (Just ate one that's why I searched for a video after I just stuck one on the ground earlier. 😀)

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

My favorite way to eat this vegetable is as a Mexican Salsa with chili, onions, salt lime and cumin.

[@FensterfarmGreenhouse]

Very interesting. Never grown Jicama before. I like everything that you mentioned that it taste like so it would stand to reason that I would like it. Thanks for sharing it my new friend! Chuck

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I had planted this crop several time in the past and never got it right. Planting it in September in Hawaii produced beautiful tubers in one gallon containers. This really caught my interest. They were supposed to be for sale as nursery stock but I only sold a few. Currently there is only one pot left in the nursery and it will be eaten soon.

[@FensterfarmGreenhouse]

I just checked my seed suppliers and they don't carry the seeds for Jicama. Looks like they have them on ebay though! Chuck

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I would use the same source where I got my seed. The University of Hawaii Seed Bank at Manoa. They only charge gardeners $1 per package for the seeds and they are very high quality. You may find a few other interesting things on their list. I think the Hawaii Sweet corns and the lettuce are very special. Here is the link, click on the button for seeds to the left for the list. www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/seed/

[@michaelskelton18]

Man! You sound just like the dude from the masters report. And thanks for the tip about the short day long day cycles. I was reading a vague article last night about light and dark growth cycles how most plants can thrive in constant sunlight or artificial light because the have two growth cycles, and the plants dark cycle growth isn't affected by the light but the light cycle won't happen in the dark.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I probably could have made more money in life if I had taken advantage of that. Aloha, Bill

[@sarahrose0413]

Thank you for sharing how these are grown, I always wondered.👍🏼

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

You bet, I was wondering too!

[@firsttimefarmer4666]

Love this guy.. 😂

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

THanks for watching

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Thanks. Great info. I like container gardening. Got some seeds germinating right now. Running out of time for tubers though. Seeds might be OK for next year.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

If you're in the southern hemisphere then you have the seed timing right. If your in the northern hemisphere you are 180 degrees off in the solar cycle. Jicama cycle of growth are controlled by day length. Vines and flowers on long days, tubers on short days.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 Australia.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@redtobertshateshandles You're in the right place with the right timing then. Aloha

[@redtobertshateshandles]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 aloha.

[@deakemarschall2992]

I loves me some jicama. In fact I just started some seeds indoors. Bad news is I'm in NorCal so I just learned I'll actually be growing some rather large jicama vines. But I will try them in small grow bags. And I'll try some again in the fall. May even try yacon just for kicks. And this video reminds me I need to grow an Asian pear.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Since Jicama will produce nice tubers in small pots it has a lot of promise in less than tropical climates. I actually like the flavor and texture of Yacon even better than Jicama but the invertase sugar in Yacon is enough to shred my shorts. Jicama has a similar sugar but not as much as Yacon. I need to sauce Yacon with Beano!

[@takishasage-freebeautyzone]

Hi! I just received some jicima seeds in the mail today. I thought it was a cool weather crop, but the seed package says it's a warm weather crop. I'm in NC in zone 8a, so I'm a little confused as to when I should try to grow them. I think I will take your advice and grow them in containers, but just not so sure about the timing b/c we're pretty hot here in NC already, but we don't have as long of a growing season as FL. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

The temperature of the environment isn't terribly important to Jicama. It is true that it produces the bulb during the winter time but it isn't the temperature that controls this. It is the day length. Jicama growth cycles are controlled by photo period. Short days cause bulbing. Long days cause flower and vine growth. In northern climates the plant would require a greenhouse so it can bulb for Christmas.

[@takishasage-freebeautyzone]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 thank you for answering my question. I will put the seeds aside to plant when the days are shorter. I appreciate the help. 👍🏽

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@takishasage-freebeautyzone 8A zone may be a bit too cold for Jicama due to the short day photo period requirement for bulbing. If you can make it to Christmas without a frost and the seeds are sown in August or September it should work.

[@takishasage-freebeautyzone]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 Great thanks! I'll give it a try. And I'll be prepared to cover them or bring them in (depending on the containers I use), if there is a chance of frost. NC weather can be a bit wacky, so we shall see.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@takishasage-freebeautyzone Good luck, Aloha

[@melonjuice7441]

Thanks for sharing knowledge such a cute root

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I would find it difficult to eat cute food!

[@erlindajohnson3011]

How long it takes before you can harvest?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Seed planted in September yields the finished root in December. About 90 days.

[@mherteg79]

the best video ever about jicama. thank you !

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Welcome to the channel and thank you for the comment. It took me quite a while to figure Jicama out. We can thank the U of Hawaii, Manoa for setting me straight. Aloha

[@mauriziosonares254]

are you the monica herteg that sell on ebay?

[@mherteg79]

Yes!

[@mauriziosonares254]

i would like to buy few thinks and since i live in portugal i would like to know if is possible to have a direct contact here. if i buy plant or cuttings i don't like to let them travel by post. My email is [e-mail] Thanks

[@mherteg79]

Currently we ship from Romania , where we are located the next two years . Till recently we sent from Estoi, Faro, Portugal... Thank you for your interest , i will contact you soon.

[@Sunfrogg]

Excellent video! I learned some new things! Thanks!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I just served Jicama in a salad last night to folks from the Mainland. It was cubed and mixed with Kale, endive, carrot, lettuce and a few other greens. It drew interest from the dinners because they had never heard of the plant before and found they enjoyed it. If you have a tropical winter it is the easiest crop I can imagine. The tuber takes less than 90 days from a seed. It is actually best grown in pots here because once ripe I can move the pots out of the rain so the tuber doesn't split. Aloha, Bill

[@MaxItUpwithMarta]

I think I will plant some of those. I'm in Miami so I think it would do well.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

You should do fine there with Jicama. Late summer and fall are the time to sow seed. IT has to be in the right photo period to bulb rather than vine. Aloha

[@ilocosboy]

We call it "singkamas" in filipino, it can be found mostly on Filipino store or the open market. It taste sweet and watery.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Good to know. I know it by the Mexican name where it is a native plant. I just added it to sweet potato salad yesterday and coleslaw today with good results.

[@leonardoalfonso7080]

Are you sure it is safe to eat this vegestable raw? I have heard that it is poisonous to eat raw potato and sweet potato.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Leo, From the stand point of a man with a decent education I find that most of the information passed around between people is a load of BS. At least it is half BS. In the case of a potato only the tuber is edible, the rest of the plant is toxic as are it's buddies tomatoes and eggplants. If the skin of a potato is green do not eat it. Peel and cook it. If the potato has no green color then feel free to eat it if you like. I have no taste for raw potato but I have known plenty of people that enjoy it with no harm. Sweet potato contains no toxins at all and can be eaten raw. I grate it into salads instead of carrots from time to time with no harm. Jicama is almost always eaten raw. Unless you are very careful with cooking it the vegetable is ruined by too much heat. Me and several million Mexican's have been eating Jicama raw our whole lives. It is true that you do not want to eat any other part of the Jicama plant because it contains rotenone, an organic insecticide. Belief and knowledge are not the same thing. Unfortunately most people you talk do don't understand the difference.

[@leonardoalfonso7080]

Thank you for clarifying that Bill. Also, in the future, I would love it if you could make a video about radish. I once hear it is the fastest plant to grow and that its huge size can make good soups.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I will be planting the Japanese Daikon Radish this year. IT is one of the largest and best. I'll see if I can do a video on it.

[@sarremoo123]

Hey sir can i plant growing it in sweden Europe weather?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Your summer time days will be too long for this plant. It would have to be grown in a green house during fall to early winter. It is photo period sensitive.

[@jeffbingaman2754]

Very informative thank you sir

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Sure thing. Jicama is one of those crops that is so easy if you get the planting time right but impossible if the timing is wrong. Bill

[@bradleykaufmann5510]

I have some vines going right now. Hope I can still get a crop. Will plant in fall next time.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Jicama development is controlled by photo period. Past experience in my garden dictate the plants you have in now will produce huge vines and lots of seed. If you remove the seeds and plant in September you will get a crop of tubers by New Years.

[@leilanik3333]

I often get a slight radishy flavor from them. You know that slight spice aftertaste without the heat. Its hard to explain. Kind of like a big sweet juicy radish without the heat I guess.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I suppose the plant might respond soil and growing conditions. The flavor might be a stress response. I tend to detect a pea flavor on mine.

[@leilanik3333]

This will be the first year I grow them myself. All I've ever had were grocery store bought.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Often store bought food is not comparable in flavor to organic home grown. I find commercial celery has an off taste.

[@leilanik3333]

GreenGardenGuy1 I agree. I will only eat the celery heart.

[@javierevaristo79]

Great video have you Heard of anybody being successful growing it in California thanks bill 👍🏽

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Jicama can be grown in the garden in mild spots of southern California. I have not heard of a good crop in N. CA but where there is a will there is a way. If there is a Main land producer of this crop let us know. I suspect even an unheated greenhouse will work in most of California. Since it will crop in such a small pot it is worthy of the space.

[@RichesToRoots]

Excellent.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Wow, are you right on top of things. I just finished transplanting the last of my Jicama seedlings into gallon containers yesterday!

[@RichesToRoots]

We're in Hawaiian Paradise Park and are using Jicama as cover crop and hoping for some fruit also. We bought the UH seeds as well and have been planting them since about May; and we're still planting. Great advise on your video. I'll plant some in 1 gallon pots. Excellent teaching video. I'm not subscribed and we'll definitely learn from your experiences! One final question. The plants that have been in the ground since May are now fairly large with robust flowers. What are your thoughts on cutting these back and letting them spend the winter focusing on root growth?

[@RichesToRoots]

NOW subscribed, not "NOT" subscribed!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Good question. Truth is I only know what I know. I have never planted Jicama in the summer season for any other reason than to raise fresh seeds. I imagine you could get some sort of a root to eat off of the plants but it probably won't be of the same quality as the fall grown crop. I suspect it will be oddly shaped and perhaps fibrous. The actual cropping season for this plant is September sowing and New Years harvest. My experiments with growing the crop in open ground have usually ended in the roots popping like pop corn in the winter rain once they go dormant. If you are really quick about lifting them as soon as the vines begin to dormant then they will probably come out intact. I use pots and move my crop to rain shelter by Christmas. You can let me know how this works out and we will all be wiser.

[@kater4052]

Pinetree Gardens also has the seed, and they are very reliable. You can order online, which is a plus.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Jicama seed isn't too hard to find but no one beats the UH Manoa Seed Bank price of $1 per package.

[@chefjanieromoandson8500]

thanks for the insight. I plan to grow some here in Texas will see how that works out for me . :-)

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Sow the crop to mature on the shortest days. It isn't frost hardy so if the weather gets cold you will have to move to a greenhouse. Good luck.

[@crystaljustlivin5697]

Where can I find the seeds to this plant

[@tortaboy]

How are you enjoying your dump tow behind "Wheelbarrow"?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Yes, I've been hauling around rocks and coffee prunings in it so far. The real test will come after I finish painting the house. My next project will be using the cart to haul ciders for paths around the property. It will get video coverage as I engage the project. In the mean time painting the house doesn't make for much of a video!

[@edmundogutierrez5773]

Hey Bill, Love watching your vids sir! I grew up in Union city too! Where about did you live? I heard you moved Hawaii. I"m assuming you left behind your garden/backyard orchard. I moved to nearby Hayward. I'm creating a backyard orchard myself.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I lived on Smith St. In Old Alvarado directly across from Post Office. This was the original Spanish port that supplied Mission San Jose and also the first truck farms on the West Coast. I had lived in Fremont for the past 20 years until we sold the property last May and moved to my other home in Hawaii. The Bay Area is a garden of Eden when it comes to food farming. Too bad it is mostly houses, we have to make good use of the rest of our space left at this point. Backyard gardens are the wave of the future for the Bay. Fremont was the only place I have ever been where you can find an apple tree growing next to a lemon or an avocado next to a cherry. Amazing climate.

[@edmundogutierrez5773]

GreenGardenGuy1 I'm very familiar with smith st old alvarado. I frequent bronco Billy's pizza nearby. I grew up on dyer st and union city blvd. My parents still live there. Yes, our climate is to die for with all sorts of things you can grow here. I'm creating a high density backyard orchard. I have grafted miniature peach/nectarine. 7 fig varieties, wonderful pomegranate, blood orange, trovita orange, espalier apple with 6 types, pear espalier with 4 types, Rio red grapefruit, Meyer lemon, pink tropic guava, goji berry, kiwi, ice cream banana tree, holiday avocado, chayote .

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

From your plant list I can see you are man after my own gardening heart. I am so happy to hear that you too understand how special the place you live is. I feel most people don't realize the the Garden of Eden was originally located somewhere between Berkeley and San Jose!

[@edmundogutierrez5773]

GreenGardenGuy1 I watched your old videos on growing mango in bay area and how it's nearly impossible. You think it's still possible?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I recently heard from a viewer that the tree was still there. I like to report on horticultural curiosities like this mango but that doesn't mean I believe it is something that will work for everyone. In general it is my belief that the Bay Area is a poor location for mangoes but the tree exists to prove it is possible. This particular tree is located in a very special microclimate. The land drains away cold air in 360 degrees. This would make the spot several degrees warmer than the surrounding area. The tree is also near a southern wall for shelter. I know of a couple other mango in Fremont on the peninsula at Quarry Lakes Regional Park. It is possible but not very practical. I would stick to tangerines and apples myself.

[@deinse82]

Oooooh, I'm soooo trying this on my windowsill. Too late now, but next winter.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

It might just work. It will depend on if it likes the day length at your latitude. I want to hear the report.

[@michelesanchez6828]

could you tell me when and where to grow yacon, it's for my lw carb diet that it's recommended... by the way I had planted the seed of the jicama (I don't remember when) so I told my husband to check it out, and guess what? I got a jicama!!!!not too big but very tasty!!!!thank you again!!!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Plant Jicama seeds in fall and plant Yacon from root or stem cuttings in the late winter to early spring. Yacon is a long day crop. Jicama for the bulb is a short day crop. IF you plant the Jicama in the spring as a long day crop it will make only vines, flowers and seeds.

[@quynhtran2008]

Because of your video I took a leap of faith and ordered some jicama seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom. Im in zone 9 in California so is it to late to sow them? I dont have a greenhouse but Im gonna grow them in a wine barrel. Should I wait til fall?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

The Jicama plant is controlled by day length. If you plant seeds as the days increase in length they will make long vines, flowers, seeds and no tubers. If you plant as the days decrease you will get tubers with almost no vine. September is the best month to sow the seeds. February to March is harvest time. Anything left in the ground for summer will produce a crop of seeds.

[@kater4052]

OMG! This is so funny. I just realized I'm wearing the same tie died shirt, exact same color scheme and everything. How funny.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Shirt buddy! This shirt has moved on to cleaning my potting table..Too many holes. Bill

[@Hygeiainthedesert]

Hi, did you sow it directly in the pot without doing any pre-germination?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I really dislike handling wet seeds. The only thing I ever presoak is Hawaiian Koa tree seeds in 140 degree water. I get 14 day germination instead of 6 months this way. As for Jicama dry seed will sprout in 7 days.

[@Antaranch]

Where did you order your seeds? I live in Suriname South America, almost right at the equator. Does planting time matters?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I got the seeds from the University of Hawaii Manoa Seed Program. www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/seed/seeds.asp You have a good question about the equator. Jicama responds to day length. On long days it makes vines and flower on short days it makes roots with almost no vine. Since you have little day length change it is difficult for me to tell you what might happen. I planted mine in August on the tropic of Cancer. My suggestion is try the same and see what happens.

[@Antaranch]

Thanks sir

[@yeshuaisthewaythetruthandt515]

Can U grow jicama from a fruit/vegetable not seeds? I don't have a seed. Thanku

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Yes but only by planting the root in spring and allowing it to flower and produce seeds. These are then planted in September to grow bulbs by February.

[@AbuelitaPaloma]

Cut it into rounds and use them as chips for humus. Yum!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Sounds good, thanks. Bill

[@michelesanchez6828]

I live in the tropics (Puerto Rico), and just wondering how long does it take for the jicama to grow?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I planted the seeds for this crop in September 2016 and finished eating all the Jicama by March 2017. It grew actively for about 4 months then went dormant for the rest of the period. The last couple roots had no vine left showing when I dug them.

[@michelesanchez6828]

thankyou!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Sure thing, enjoy the Jicama. It is a very easy crop if you get the timing right.

[@veganchiefwarrior6444]

haha nice great story

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Amusement is half of my purpose for living, thanks. Bill

[@6996katmom]

I heard they taste like an apple. Is that true?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I would not make that comparison. Apples are very sugary, Jicama only has a little sugar. Apples are acid Jicama is not. The texture might come close but not close enough for the comparison. The water inside is about the only good cross over. It is more like Yacon or Water Chestnut with a pea taste.