Growing Burdock, also Gobo (Japanese Burdock)

Arctium lappa : Asteraceae / the daisy family

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

(Best months for growing Burdock in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • 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

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28 Apr 17, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
How do they look like as a.plant
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30 Apr 17, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)
Burdock is a biennial member of the Asteracea family so has daisy type flowers. It is not easy to describe the appearance of the plant. You could look up pictures on the internet.
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19 Sep 20, Heather (Australia - temperate climate)
Looks a lot like rhubarb - very large leaves.
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23 Apr 17, Simon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can I buy Burdock plants or seeds in South Africa. Alternaively_ where can I buy Seeds overseas?
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24 Apr 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
I found some on bidorbuy.co.za . search them and enter 'burdock seeds'. All the best
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04 Apr 17, Claire (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Lanya, Some on-line suppliers have burdock
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10 Mar 17, Lanya Murray (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi , where can I get some burdock seeds ?
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09 Oct 21, Sarah (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Carols Heirloom Seeds on Trademe
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12 Mar 17, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Try a search of NZ on-line suppliers
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02 Dec 16, Lynette Steyn (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can I find the burdock seeds or seedlings?
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Showing 21 - 30 of 87 comments
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The Japanese are great consumers of Burdock, or "Gobo" stir fried with carrot and chilli and soy and is fantastic - called "Kinpira Gobo" it is a lovely dish. I sometimes buy my seed in Japan and if anyone would like me to get some, I can pick some up the next time I'm there... It's ok to import as long as customs see the original packet and can see that the contents have not been tampered with. I have just dug up my first crop but didnt realise the fingers grow really deep and should really be harvested quite early to get them really tender. To think we used to drink dandelion and burdock tea when i was a kid in the U.K... It seems such a under-rated veggie and has a delicious nutty flavour.

- Jonathan

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