Kumara

Kumara

Kumera is a classic kiwi vegetable enjoyed roasted, in salads, soups  and many other ways

so try growing them yourself.

Getting Started

Kumara are purchased as bareroot runners in either the red or gold varieties in late spring. The ideal time to plant kumera is after Labour Weekend as the ground temperature is increasing and frosts have passed. Plant up until late November.

Where to Plant

• In early October prepare the bed. We recommend planting in raised vege garden beds. Kitset  raised wooden gardens are available here which are perfect for growing kumara in.
• Fill the bed with good loose compost and mound up to approximately 30cm above the sides of the planter.
• Mix in Tui General Garden Fertiliser prior to planting.
• Cover the whole bed with black polythene and staple down.
• Cut cross slits approximately 30cm apart into the polythene.
• Polythene is used because it enables the soil to heat up and the kumera tubers will form closer to the surface of the bed and not 'run to ground'.
   

How to Plant

• Take your kumara plant and carefully bend the plant back onto itself into a J shape so that the bottom roots are just below the first set of leaves.
• Carefully plant into the slits you cut in the polythene and cover the roots with compost to that just the leaves are exposed.
• Water in.

Tending

• Keep your kumara patch watered over dry periods.
• As the top vine growth 'runs' keep lifting from the surrounding ground to avoid setting down. This encourages growth of your tubers.

Harvesting

• Kumara take 5 months to mature.
• Harvest before first frosts or when tops turn yellow which is around April.
• Leave in sun to dry and harden off before storing.