Growing yacon fruit in the Willamette valley. - Ask Extension
HI, We have about 4 acres of farmable ground out by Champoeg park and would like to grow some different types fruits and vegetables. Just planted 72 v...
Knowledgebase
Growing yacon fruit in the Willamette valley. #782861
Asked March 01, 2022, 12:44 AM EST
HI, We have about 4 acres of farmable ground out by Champoeg park and would like to grow some different types fruits and vegetables. Just planted 72 varieties of fruit trees. Propagated some table grapes and hardy kiwis last fall which I will plant this spring. We went to the csa fair last weekend and saw some Yacon fruit and thought it looked interesting. I was wondering if there is a market for it and how does it grow in the valley. We would like to grow some types of crops that not everybody is growing if you guys have any ideas. Thanks Jay.
Marion County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Jay,
Thank you for writing in. Oregon State University doesn't currently have much yacón specific research available. There is a short article written by Jim Meyers, a Professor who studies vegetable breeding and genetics at OSU. In his article, he mentions that yacón has grown well in Western Oregon. Meyers recommends planting seed pieces in the spring for an October harvest.
The full article can be viewed here: https://today.oregonstate.edu/archives/2013/jun/six-exotic-vegetables-oregon-gardeners-try
I can't necessarily speak to the marketability of yacón or if it will be successful. It really depends on your marketing strategy. Since it isn't as common as other vegetables in the area I can't speak from experience or offer more information on market performance.
Kindly,
Thank you for writing in. Oregon State University doesn't currently have much yacón specific research available. There is a short article written by Jim Meyers, a Professor who studies vegetable breeding and genetics at OSU. In his article, he mentions that yacón has grown well in Western Oregon. Meyers recommends planting seed pieces in the spring for an October harvest.
The full article can be viewed here: https://today.oregonstate.edu/archives/2013/jun/six-exotic-vegetables-oregon-gardeners-try
I can't necessarily speak to the marketability of yacón or if it will be successful. It really depends on your marketing strategy. Since it isn't as common as other vegetables in the area I can't speak from experience or offer more information on market performance.
Kindly,
