Yam beetles

Once a month, dig a small test hole near a mound — if you see beetles or chewed-up bits in the soil, that's a yam beetle. Dark brown patches on leaves or stems = a leaf disease (anthracnose). Always plant clean, certified seed yam pieces — buying cheap, sick ones costs you the harvest.

Once a month, gently push a finger into the side of the mound. If the soil smells bad or feels mushy, the tuber is rotting — usually from too much water. Dig small drainage channels around the mounds to fix this.