Growing Burdock, also Gobo (Japanese Burdock)

Arctium lappa : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec

Not recommended for growing in USA - Zone 5a regions

  • 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 50°F and 68°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 24 inches apart
  • Harvest in 17-18 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Best grown in separate bed.

Your comments and tips

05 Jun 14, Dean (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have gobo seeds in Brisbane. I have a few to share if anyone is interested? Ph 0432 414 266.
29 Dec 09, James CHOI (Australia - temperate climate)
Dear Sir, Nice to see your web about Burdock,I am a new hand for growing and planting. Is it possible to ask you where I could buy the fresh or dried Burdock in Melbourne. Please let me have your recommendation. Thanks a lot. James
25 May 10, Luis O (Australia - tropical climate)
James, I'm not sure about fresh ones, but I used to buy dried ones in Sydney chinese medicine shops. You may find them in cylinder shape boxes or loose ones in chinatown (little broke st)
06 Feb 10, Sharonne (Australia - temperate climate)
SHIPARDS HERBS in Queensland have every medicinal herb u can want both in seeds and plants. They ship anywhere in Australia
18 Apr 10, Sue (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I would like to know where can i buy this burdock roots. I live in Brisbane and i don't know where to get it. Thank you
22 Aug 10, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Go to the organic markets at Wndsor they have seedlings there I just got some today 22/10
07 Jun 10, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have raised garden beds because my soil is stoney. Has anyone tried to grow burdock in bins? That sounds easy to get 90cm of sandy loam happening.
08 Aug 21, Vicki (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi,I have successfully grown burdock in raised garden beds here in Geelong. Just yesterday I harvested a root weighing a nice 1.7kg so if I can grow in here where it's cooler then anyone can
01 Mar 11, Mickey (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
As a good Gobo-burdock grows its root over 1 meter, we, Japanese gardeners sometimes lay galvanized iron (or plastic) sheets in soil with 15 - 20 degree angle like this//////, and plant the seedlings in betrween the sheets. The width of the sheets depends on the width of your vegi patch, and you may plant Gobo in each row as many as you like as long as they have at least 15 cm space between them. As the roots grow, it hits the sheet and grow side way in angle along the sheet in the soil. At the harvesting time, you can easily remove the sheets one by one. It is much easier than trying to dig out 1 meter hole along the root. I have grown many 1.2 meter Gobos in my 30cm high raised garden beds in this way.
29 Mar 11, Doug (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
A brilliant idea. I've got a heap of ex-roofing iron sheets, so will give this one a try!
Showing 11 - 20 of 87 comments

As a good Gobo-burdock grows its root over 1 meter, we, Japanese gardeners sometimes lay galvanized iron (or plastic) sheets in soil with 15 - 20 degree angle like this//////, and plant the seedlings in betrween the sheets. The width of the sheets depends on the width of your vegi patch, and you may plant Gobo in each row as many as you like as long as they have at least 15 cm space between them. As the roots grow, it hits the sheet and grow side way in angle along the sheet in the soil. At the harvesting time, you can easily remove the sheets one by one. It is much easier than trying to dig out 1 meter hole along the root. I have grown many 1.2 meter Gobos in my 30cm high raised garden beds in this way.

- Mickey

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