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			P

(Best months for planting Salsify in United Kingdom - cool/temperate regions)

P = Sow direct in garden where they are to grow.

• Easy to grow.
• Harvest in 14-21 weeks.
• Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed.
• Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 30°C.
• Space plants: 15-20cm

This root vegetable is not seen in supermarkets but is as easy to grow as carrots or parsnips.

It is a fairly slow growing vegetable but can be harvested in small amounts as required. The ground can be loosened with a fork and a few roots lifted for use.

Scorzonera is a variety of salsify which has black skin on the root.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Salsify

Wash and scrape the roots then boil before frying or roasting. They can also be used to make a creamed soup.

Your comments and tips

21 Jul 10 (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I first planted them in pots in mid august in Brisbaneand they took some time to germinate.Another lot planted recently in mid winter came up within a week. If you are growing them in pots like myself dont over crowd them.There is some growing individually in 4inch tubes and they are growing splendidly.

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19 Jul 10 Michael Vicary (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Where can I buy Salsify seeds or punnets? I live at the base of the Blue Mountains NSW. Thankyou Regards Michael

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03 Mar 10 Jo Mckenzie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I'm trying it for the first time seeds seem to take ages to come up - i sowed them 2 weeks ago - maybe its still to hot here but will keep trying!!!

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23 Nov 08 Stephen and Sandra (New Zealand - temperate climate)

We have got the black salsify, we would like to know where to get the white salsify from. When do you plant it and how long to harvest?

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29 Sep 08 Tony Dowling (Australia - temperate climate)

I am originally from Invercargill New Zealand My father grows Salisfy, I remember as a kid my mother used to grate the salsify up make into patties and fry them very nice, we used to have the salsify to substitute for Bluff Oysters out of season. Yes the plant does have a resemblance to the taste of Oysters

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23 Sep 08 (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Hi, I'm in Canberra, planted Salsify some years ago, now it grows like a weed in the garden, which is fine, since we keep eating it! You can buy them from http://www.greenharvest.com.au and http://www.edenseeds.com.au/ We peel and chop, then boil them in water, with lemon juice and salt, like artichoke hearts. After the water reduces, we add cream, and bake with a layer of cheese (au gratin style). The flavour of the roots is better before the plant starts to make its flower in late spring. So harvest all through the cold weather. Our early spring is still pretty chilly. But seriously, I worried about how hard it might be to germinate when we first got them, now I can't stop them from self sowing. They seem to be germinating all year round!

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05 Feb 08 Carolyn (Unknown climate)

We planted salsify seeds Sth Island, NZ, in early November. Does anyone know how long they take to mature!? Do we wait till the frosts arrive, as for parsnips?

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01 Feb 08 Ben (Unknown climate)

you can also probably find it in many parks... check in wetter areas

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22 Jan 08 Chris (Unknown climate)

Kings Herbs and Seeds have also got salsify and vegetable oyster

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22 Jan 08 Clare (Unknown climate)

Salsify seeds can be purchased from both Eden Seeds and The Italian Gardener

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