How to Harvest Yams

Yams, with their sweet, delicious flavor, are also packed with vitamin-C, potassium, manganese and fiber. Yams are similar to sweet potatoes, and sometimes sweet potatoes are referred to as yams. Sweet potatoes usually take much less time to grow, while yams take almost one year. Because yams are susceptible to frost, they are typically grown in semi-tropical locations. Yams or sweet potatoes should be properly harvested to ensure that they are coming out of the ground at the correct time and that they will not become damaged.

Shovel

Baskets

Newspaper

Monitor the time from planting so you know when the yams or sweet potatoes have reached maturity. Yams need 10 months. Sweet potatoes need four months and should be harvested before the initial frost of autumn.

Inspect the leaves and vine growth to also know if the yams or sweet potatoes have reached maturity. The vines will stop growing and the leaves will start to turn yellow.

Lift the yams or sweet potatoes from the ground using a shovel. Spread the vines out of the way and place the tip of the shovel about 10 inches from the base of the plant. At a slight angle, push the shovel blade all the way into the ground. Push down on the handle to extract the vegetables. One plant will generally produce multiple vegetables.

Brush any loose dirt off of the yams or sweet potatoes and place them in a large basket. Continue to harvest the remaining yams.

Spread the yams or sweet potatoes on newspapers in a warm, dry area and allow them to dry for approximately a week and a half. Store yams in aerated containers, such as baskets or cardboard boxes, in a cooler area, such as a garage. Storing yams in a cool area will ensure long-lasting freshness.