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Growing Salsify, also Vegetable oyster

(Tragopogon porrifolius)

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
P	P	P						P	P	P	P

(Best months for planting Salsify in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

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

Easy to grow. 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. (Show °F/in)
Space plants: 15 - 20 cm apart
Harvest in 14-21 weeks.
Compatible with: Beans, Brassicas, Carrots, Celeriac, Endive, Kohl-rabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Alliums, Spinach

Harvested salsify roots

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

14 Jun 11, Lauriej (Australia - temperate climate): I obtained my seeds in 2010 from New Gippsland Seeds in Silvan, Vic., raised then in tubes, transplanted then with plenty of potting mix around them, and they were a success. Previous time I grew them was twenty years ago, when Yates used to sell them. I allowed one plant to run to seed, and harvested that seed yesterday.
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31 Dec 10, (Australia - temperate climate): where can i find this in australia
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25 Mar 11, rae (Australia - sub-tropical climate): eden seeds
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13 Nov 10, Schoenhenzel (Australia - temperate climate): Hello Could you please tel me where to buy seed of Salsify's in Australia, South Australia prefered. Thank you very much. Rene Schoenhenzel
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01 Dec 10, Geoff Hudson (Australia - temperate climate): Salsify is becoming increasingly popular and The Italian Gardener has it available by mail order
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14 Nov 10, Allysa (Australia - temperate climate): These grow in lots of gardens as a weed - not the black one though. Certainly, there are plenty in Adelaide gardens, and they are currently flowering and producing wonderful looking 'pom pom' looking seed-heads. Depending on where you live, you should be able to take a bit of a stroll around your local area, and see them flowering (they're only open up 'til about noon, then they shut 'til the next not-rainy day), or their pom poms (about 4 or so inches across, and a dull straw colour). They have an attractive bluish daisy- like flower. If you're not sure what they look like, you'll be able to find plenty of pics. on the 'net. Once you've seen them once, they'll be very recognisable to you.
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11 Nov 10, Leah (Australia - temperate climate): I grew salsify in punnets last year which was a dismal failure as the roots twisted like mad when they were transplanted. They did flower though and now a patch of the garden is covered with very healthy self sown plants which are flowering . . . But when should they be harvested and can the flowers be chopped off to prevent them spreading across the whole suburb, and the plant left in the ground until ready for eating? The info I've read says to eat them in winter. . . . . Thanks :-)
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11 Nov 10, Sri (Australia - temperate climate): My grandpa use to grow Salsify in the vegie patch as a natural insecticide and i remember he use to say to me u have to cut the flowers off or they will take over the entire garden and while i have never grown them myself apparently the rule of thumb is if they are self sown begin picking them in the autumn because the longer u leave them the less flavour they have.
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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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See planting calendar for these countries and climate zones

Australia - arid, Australia - cool/mountain, Australia - sub-tropical, Australia - temperate, Australia - tropical, New Zealand - cool/mountain, New Zealand - sub-tropical, New Zealand - temperate, South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical, South Africa - Humid sub-tropical, South Africa - Semi-arid, South Africa - Summer rainfall, United Kingdom - cool/temperate, United Kingdom - warm/temperate, USA - Central West Coast, USA - Maritime Northwest, USA - Mid-Atlantic, USA - North East, USA - South East and Gulf States, USA - South West, USA - Upper Midwest

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.

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