I first tried jicama during my meal outfit boxwood days . While I did n’t keep the meal kits in my life , jicama has become a must - have for growing in my garden . Most multitude ordinarily nibble on the refreshing veg sliced bare-ass , but its way more various in the kitchen than you may realize .
Jicama is a crunchy veg that ’s remindful of a Raphanus sativus but with a mode milder flavor profile . The genus Tuber - like veg is a relative of the bean family and comes from Central America – specifically Mexico .
It grows much like a white potato but with spry - growing vine instead of upright foliage . Like the humble potato , all non - tuber part of the plant are poisonous and non - eatable .
Jicama Varieties
There are two elemental variety of jicama :
Planting Jicama
Is jicama challenge to grow ? The answer depends all on where you ’re growing it . It flourish in strong region with a long grow season .
It takes a while for a jicama plant to produce tubers and mature – over 150 day . So it ’s not ideal for areas with a short growing time of year . The plants develop well in a garden bed , raised bed , or container .
Growing Zones
Grow jicama in zones 7 - 10 .
Sun Requirements
Jicama is aboriginal to Mexico and prefers plenty of sunshine . The amount of sun a jicama plant receives is vital because , like Irish potato , it ’s day sore .
implant at the wrong clock time may limit your crop . Those with unforesightful summers will likely need to cover and protect jicama plants to prevent frost damage and enable a proper harvest home .
Soil Requirements
Select a fix with rich , prolific , well - draining land with a pH above 7.0 . This veggie is a heavy confluent , so figure out in spate of well - molder manure into the stain before planting .
Starting Seeds
You ’re unlikely to determine jicama seedling anywhere for sales event , so you ’ll have to start them from cum or tubers .
Start seed at least 8 - 10 weeks before the last frost date in your area . Use a hotness matt indoors to encourage sprouting since jicama seeds like warm soil .
In affectionate climates , seed can be direct sown in the spring or all year rung if no hoarfrost is ask . Soaking the seed can increase the chances of germination .
Starting Tubers
If you leave genus Tuber in the priming from the current growing year , they ’ll sprout once again next spring , alike to Jerusalem artichokes .
Transplanting
Give plants about a week to harden off before putting them in the ground . Plant jicama start when all risk of frost has decease and the soil is at least 50 ° farad .
Spacing and Support
Jicama plant should be spaced at least 8 inches apart from one another . The vining industrial plant will tumble over without backing , so you could use some sort of structure to manage the vine .
If you want to allow the spread along the flat coat , feel free . In that case , give them 24 - column inch between plant life .
Caring for Jicama
Watering
Keep well water and do n’t let the grime dry out . Jicama needs plenty of water .
Weeding
Remove weeds immediately to prevent competition , but be careful not to upset the uprise roots .
Fertilizing
Fertilize jicama plants once a calendar month up until harvest using a mellow - nitrogen plant food . Jicama is a athirst plant .
Pruning
Some gardeners say that plucking flowers from the jicama works further genus Tuber ontogenesis . It may be deserving a endeavor to see if it ameliorate your harvest . Do n’t let the plant go to seed .
Problems and Solutions for Growing Jicama
Jicama is mostly a problem - free plant . The rugged challenge with growing jicama is being able to have enough patience to wait for the tuber to maturate . Do n’t dig into the ground and disrupt growth ! Protect the plant life from frost and get your timing right , and you ’re likely to succeed .
Weevils
weevil may be attracted to jicama plant , but they rarely pose a serious trouble . plunk any weevils you see and swim them in soapy pee .
Fungal Diseases
Jicama can be touch by fungal diseases . A general rule is to water at the base of plant , keep plants well - spaced , and body of water in the aurora so plants have sentence to dry out . you may also habituate a antimycotic if things do n’t improve .
Bacterial Blight
If you see small , water - soak spots on the undersurface of your growing jicama leaves , you might have bacterial blight . The best way to avoid it is to prevent water from spreading , so do n’t expend spray irrigatio and water at the base of operations of plants instead . Also , do n’t take the air through your garden if the filth is soused .
To control it , use a Cu - based spray .
Best and WorstCompanion Plants for Jicama
The space - hungry vining flora is best planted aside from others so that its vine do n’t intervene with other garden craw . Oneseed companysuggests growing jicama with Indian corn as a familiar and support structure .
Other safe alternative include beans , sunflowers , ginger , and cilantro .
Do n’t imbed jicama with potatoes or tomato .
Harvesting Jicama
If you ’ve ever grow white potato vine , you do it that it ’s sentence to glean when the foliage start up to embrown and die back . The same is true for jicama plants . Mature tubers should reach about 4 - 6 inches in diameter .
As with potatoes , dig softly to forbid knicking and damage the tubers . Note that tubers are usually small-scale when grown in dusty region because they have less sentence to develop .
Do n’t try harvesting before the industrial plant has entirely died back . You ’ll end up with super small or non - existent tubers .
Do n’t wash the tubers with water if set them in storage . Moisture encourages stamp growth . wash away only when you ’re quick to cook with the Tuber . hive away them as you would spud . The positioning should be coolheaded and ironical .
Cooking with Jicama
Is n’t it awe-inspiring that vegetables try keen and that they ’re also sate with nutrient ? Jicama is no exception . The tuber is high in K and fill with loads of vitamin C.
When I prepare with jicama for the first time , it was to make a slaw as a side for a gourmet burger . I ended up slapping the slaw forthwith on the burger because I have intercourse it so much . Jicama taste excellent raw in salad - grade and pairs well with carrot , apples , and celery .
Jicama can also be add together to call down - tyke for extra grain . Cut up jicama sticks make a great snack . The root can be mashed and roasted , too .
notice that the skin should be get rid of prior to eating jicama . It ’s not edible .
Recipes
Here are a few recipes to try when you finally get your hand on your impertinently harvested jicama :
I have a go at it ridicule veggie , and if you do too , you should consider roasting jicama , as well . Thissweet and spicy roasted jicama recipefrom Fine Cooking employ hot sauce to add together a thrill to crunchy jicama . Roasting the genus Tuber brings out its inherently sweet flavour .
Is there any salad with avocado pear that does n’t taste delicious ? Thisrecipe from Food & Wineadds crunchy jicama to bring the salad up a notch and boom you ’ve have a crowd - pleasing summertime BBQ treat on your hands .
Jicama slawis one of my favored side knockout . It ’s so various and easy to customise . Use Daucus carota sativa , cabbage , cucumbers , kohlrabi , or jicama to liven up an otherwise dull plate . My favored room to use slaw is to top a hamburger with it . This coleslaw is tart , sweet , and crunchy , just the way it should be .
I have nothing against white potato vine - ground fries . eat on them up ! I just had scented murphy nipper with dinner , and they were so so tasty . But when you ’re a bit bored of the even ole ’ tiddler and ca n’t be incommode to alter the seasoning or cooking method acting , try using jicama tocreate a new spinon the traditional french nestling .
The Bottom Line on Growing Jicama
For such an easy to grow and versatile veggie , jicama does n’t get the attention it deserve . I say , try grow jicama in your garden and you ’ll never want to be without . Let us know your favorite way to prep this tasty tuber .
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