Tuberous wisteria - Apios americana - Potato bean: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
When and how should you plant American groundnut?
Plant Apios americana tubers in spring, in thawed soil that is easy to work. Choose sun or light shade with soil that stays moist while allowing water to drain. Provide a trellis or stakes for the climbing stems and access to the soil for future harvesting. Rhizomes can expand the patch, so allow space where you can monitor that spread.
Obtain firm, healthy tubers of a clearly identified species. The name tuberous wisteria does not mean an ornamental wisteria from the genus Wisteria. Discard soft, rotten or severely dried-out tubers and keep the others whole for planting.
Loosen the planting area without working waterlogged soil. Well-rotted compost can improve the structure of poor soil. Place tubers about five to eight centimetres deep, then cover with fine soil. Avoid burying them deeply or deciding their orientation solely from their shape.
Water to settle the soil around the tubers, then maintain consistent moisture during establishment. Mulch can reduce weed competition and drying. Mark the planting position before shoots appear, then guide the young stems towards their support without breaking them.
When and how should you harvest groundnut tubers?
