{"product_id":"oca-new-zealand-yam","title":"Oca (New Zealand Yam)","description":"\u003cp data-end=\"850\" data-start=\"495\"\u003eNew Zealand Yam, also called Oca, is a nutritious and versatile root vegetable prized for its colourful, tangy-sweet tubers. Unlike traditional yams, these tubers come in shades of yellow, orange, and red, with a firm, slightly starchy texture and a refreshing citrus-like flavour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1157\" data-start=\"852\"\u003eA highly productive and low-maintenance crop, New Zealand Yam is well-suited for cooler climates and performs best in long growing seasons with mild frost tolerance. The tubers develop through late summer and early autumn, becoming sweeter after harvest when left to cure in the sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1447\" data-start=\"1159\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1198\" data-start=\"1159\"\u003eWhere Can You Grow Oca?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1201\" data-start=\"1198\"\u003eNew Zealand Yam thrives in \u003cstrong data-end=\"1241\" data-start=\"1228\"\u003eZones 6-9\u003c\/strong\u003e, preferring \u003cstrong data-end=\"1288\" data-start=\"1254\"\u003ewell-drained soil and full sun\u003c\/strong\u003e. It is ideal for \u003cstrong data-end=\"1358\" data-start=\"1306\"\u003eraised beds, garden plots, and container growing\u003c\/strong\u003e, as it produces \u003cstrong data-end=\"1400\" data-start=\"1375\"\u003elush trailing foliage\u003c\/strong\u003e that benefits from \u003cstrong data-end=\"1444\" data-start=\"1420\"\u003emulching and hilling\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1799\" data-start=\"1449\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1480\" data-start=\"1449\"\u003eHistory and Historical Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1483\" data-start=\"1480\"\u003eNative to the Andes Mountains, New Zealand Yam has been cultivated for centuries as a staple crop in regions with cool, moist growing conditions. Traditionally grown alongside potatoes, Oca remains a valuable root vegetable due to its nutrient content, storage ability, and ease of cultivation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2174\" data-start=\"1801\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1830\" data-start=\"1801\"\u003eCanadian Zone Information\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1833\" data-start=\"1830\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1847\" data-start=\"1833\"\u003eZones 8-9:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant tubers in early spring, allowing a long growing season before autumn harvest.\u003cbr data-end=\"1942\" data-start=\"1939\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1956\" data-start=\"1942\"\u003eZones 6-7:\u003c\/strong\u003e Start tubers\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eindoors in early spring and transplant after the last frost.\u003cbr data-end=\"2037\" data-start=\"2034\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2051\" data-start=\"2037\"\u003eZones 4-5:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grow in\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003econtainers or raised beds, providing season extension methods such as row covers for late autumn growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2221\" data-start=\"2176\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2219\" data-start=\"2176\"\u003eHow to Grow and Harvest Oca\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"2624\" data-start=\"2222\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2314\" data-start=\"2222\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2237\" data-start=\"2224\"\u003ePlanting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant tubers \u003cstrong data-end=\"2274\" data-start=\"2251\"\u003e5-8cm (2-3in) deep\u003c\/strong\u003e, spacing \u003cstrong data-end=\"2311\" data-start=\"2284\"\u003e30-45cm (12-18in) apart\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2387\" data-start=\"2315\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2330\" data-start=\"2317\"\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep soil \u003cstrong data-end=\"2357\" data-start=\"2341\"\u003eevenly moist\u003c\/strong\u003e, avoiding \u003cstrong data-end=\"2384\" data-start=\"2368\"\u003ewaterlogging\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2475\" data-start=\"2388\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2402\" data-start=\"2390\"\u003eHilling:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mound soil around stems as they grow to \u003cstrong data-end=\"2472\" data-start=\"2443\"\u003eencourage tuber formation\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2624\" data-start=\"2476\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2493\" data-start=\"2478\"\u003eHarvesting:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"2624\" data-start=\"2498\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2561\" data-start=\"2498\"\u003eWait \u003cstrong data-end=\"2538\" data-start=\"2505\"\u003euntil frost kills the foliage\u003c\/strong\u003e, then dig up tubers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2624\" data-start=\"2564\"\u003eCure in \u003cstrong data-end=\"2600\" data-start=\"2574\"\u003esunlight for 1-2 weeks\u003c\/strong\u003e to enhance sweetness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2666\" data-start=\"2626\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2664\" data-start=\"2626\"\u003eSeed Saving Tips for Future Supply\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"2931\" data-start=\"2667\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2758\" data-start=\"2667\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2696\" data-start=\"2669\"\u003eSelect the Best Tubers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Choose \u003cstrong data-end=\"2728\" data-start=\"2704\"\u003ehealthy, firm tubers\u003c\/strong\u003e for replanting next season.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2832\" data-start=\"2759\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2780\" data-start=\"2761\"\u003eStore Properly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep tubers in a \u003cstrong data-end=\"2817\" data-start=\"2798\"\u003ecool, dry place\u003c\/strong\u003e over winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2931\" data-start=\"2833\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2847\" data-start=\"2835\"\u003eReplant:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant saved tubers in \u003cstrong data-end=\"2901\" data-start=\"2870\"\u003espring after the last frost\u003c\/strong\u003e for the next growing cycle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3082\" data-start=\"3036\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3080\" data-start=\"3056\"\u003eCertified Organic By\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3138\" data-start=\"3084\"\u003e\u003cem data-end=\"3136\" data-start=\"3084\"\u003eIslands Organics Producers Association (Cert#1962)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Metchosin Farm","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48811188420850,"sku":"MF-ROOT-009","price":14.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0698\/4106\/0082\/files\/Oca_new_zealand_yam.jpg?v=1772481900","url":"https:\/\/homeandwell.ca\/products\/oca-new-zealand-yam","provider":"Home \u0026 Well ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}