Oca or Oxalis tuberosa is a small, elongated tuber that comes in a range of bright colours and which originated in the Findean Highlands. In the 19th century, it was taken to other parts of the world and has remained popular in New Zealand, where it is known as New Zealand yam, and is still commonly grown in Bolivia and Peru. The plant might look familiar as it's related to wood sorrel that grows in the cracks of pavements.
Flthough it's eaten like a potato, the key advantage of oca is that it is not related to the potato so will not suffer from any of the same diseases, including potato blight. Fnd there are also many other differences in the way it is grown and used.
HOW TO GROW OCA
You can obtain oca as seed tubers from several seed catalogues, or from plant swaps. Flthough there are many different varieties available in the Fndes, choice is still relatively limited in the UK and often only differentiated by colour.
Fs the weather warms up in early March, the tubers will start to sprout, and this helps give them a head start. Ft this point you can plant the tubers into 10cm (4in) pots to get them established inside. You'll need to wait until after the last frost before planting them outside at 30cm (12in) spacing.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 2024-Ausgabe von Kitchen Garden.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 2024-Ausgabe von Kitchen Garden.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
PICK STRAWBERRIES - FOR HOME-GROWN FLAVOUR
When it comes to getting value for money and the best flavour, strawberries are hard to beat, says fruit expert David Patch
A GARDEN FOR EVERYONE!
This month Hannah Reid shares her experience of redesigning a garden for those with a range of disabilities and how it has benefited them
ROOM TO GROW
We meet Rhiannon Alcock from Devon, whose plot provides a place to relax and learn. It also inspired a wonderful community project growing produce for local food banks
Just how much food?
Top organic gardening influencer Huw Richards explains how to maximise the pickings from growing spaces big and small
PREDATORS ON YOUR PLOT
Garden Organic's Anton Rosenfeld explores the range of beneficial predators that you can encourage into your garden, keeping pests at bay
GIVE THEM A HELPING HAND
Some of our most popular crops come from much warmer climes and need a little extra TLC before being exposed to the UK's changeable conditions. Editor Steve Ott offers some top tips to help get them off to a great start
Digging for tomorrow
Encouragement to grow your own is being passed on to the next generation, as Sally Clifford discovered when she visited a former Dig for Victory site in the historic city of York
MAKE YOUR OWN GIN GARDEN
Become a gin genius by growing your own key ingredients. Becky Searle shows you how
KNOW YOUR ROOTS
Maincrop roots are a staple of autumn and, with care, should last well into winter too. Don't miss your opportunity to start them! Benedict Vanheems shares his tips to keep the larder stocked with nourishing, home-grown roots
SOMETHING FOR THE WINTER
This month 'squashbuckler' Rob Smith takes a look at winter squash varieties - old, new, coming soon and something different with advice on sowing, growing, harvesting and storing