5 STEPS TO PLANTING YAM 1. Remove all existing vegetation and clear the land where you plan to plant the yams. 2. Create mounds or ridges of soil. This provides loose soil for the yams to grow and helps with drainage, which yams need. 3. If you have large yam tubers, cut them into smaller pieces called "sets," making sure each piece has at least one or two "eyes" or buds. 4. Treat the cut sets with a fungicide to protect them from rot and fungal infections, especially during the rainy season. 5.