- 1). Locate a mature and well-established wild yam plant to harvest from in late summer. Look in low-lying areas near a source of water since the plants require constant moisture to thrive.
- 2). Dig approximately 8 inches from the base of the plant using a garden trowel. Create an 8-inch-deep trough around the base of the plant.
- 3). Scrape away small portions of soil along the inside edge of the trough using the flat edge of the garden trowel until you come to within 4 inches of the base of the plant. Watch for spreading tubers as you dig. Remove them and set them aside.
- 4). Plunge the garden trowel under the wild yam plant at a 45-degree angle. Pry the ball of tubers out of the ground and set it aside.
- 5). Cut away the stems from the top. Rub the tubers to remove the clinging soil.
- 6). Cut the tubers into 2-inch-long portions. Keep 75 percent of the tubers and plant the remaining 25 percent back in the hole to sprout new plants.
- 7). Wash the wild yam tubers thoroughly before using them.
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