Yet another vegetable with a funny name, when pronounced in English. In previous posts we have looked at other ‘funny name’ veggies and fruit. Remember the posts on how to grow feijoas, how to grow chayote and how to grow kohlrabi? Well today we are going to add how to grow Jicama to that ever expanding list.
The scientific name is Pachyrhizus erosus, I have since learnt that it is actually pronounced hick-uh-mah, and has its origins in Mexico. Also known as the Mexican yam bean or Mexican turnip it is a root vegetable, similar to a potato. As for the taste, there is definitely an apple like flavor that comes through. Most people enjoy it raw as a snack or tossed into salads.
Here’s What You’ll Need:
- How jicama seeds---------------------- Advertisement ----------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------- - compost
- organic fertilizer
- paper towel
- trellis (optional)
This is probably the first root vegetable I have heard about that is actually grown from seeds. It is recommended that you start your seeds, during the winter so that the seedlings are ready for planting after the last frost. The best location is one that gets full sun and has a well drained sandy loam soil.
Plant seedlings a foot apart in rows, in a well prepared raised garden bed. Besides watering this is a low maintenance plant that is resistant to most diseases and pests. It will take about 6 months before harvest time, at which time you just dig around the wilted vines to expose the ‘fruit’. Whatever you do, DO NOT eat the leaves, they are poisonous.
You can get more information on the Brown Thumb Mama blog, here…
You can watch the video below on Growing Jicama…
You can watch the video below on Starting Jicama Seeds…
You can watch the video below on Harvesting Fresh Jicama Root aka Yam Bean out of a Desert …
