[Greengranny]

Has anyone grown jicama or know if it is possible to grow it in Ireland and where I would get seeds.

[Greengage]

never heard of it, I better look it up .

[mariafp]

I do not even know if it's possible to grow Mexican turnips here with success.

I do not know if you are familiar with the jicama, but the plants can grow up to 16 feet. They are very heavy as well, so they need a good support. The jicama is yummy, but the steams and leaves of the plant are poisonous.

I am going to ask to a Mexican friend who lives in England where it is possible to get seeds.

[mariafp]

Just Googled it and I found that Chiltern Seeds sells Jicama seeds:

This is a Mexican vegetable that it would seem is gaining popularity in the USA Grown for its tuberous roots (its seeds are reputed to be poisonous - the reverse of Runner Beans where the roots are poisonous!), it is in fact a highly ornamental twiner with dense racemes of purple flowers (although when growing for the roots, you must be steel-willed and pluck them off). The roots look like Turnips but have a thirst-quenching, fresh-apple taste. They are sliced and sprinkled either with sugar or with salt and/or lemon juice. Alternatively, they can be used as water chestnuts in oriental cooking. Grow as a half-hardy annual and give them the warmest, sunniest spot you can spare, or let them loose in your greenhouse. Packet of 14 seeds.
£2.50 per packet of seeds

Guide prices for information only:
Euros: € 2.86
US Dollars: $ 3.95

Genus:Jicama
Family Name:Leguminosae/Fabaceae
Synonym:Pachyrhizus erosus, Pachyrhizus tuberosus
Seed Catalogue No.:1505
English Name(s):Jicama