Salsify & Scorzonera

These two root crops have been around for centuries. They are in nearly every seed catalogue but very rarely seen growing in the vegetable garden. They are not to everybody's taste and their ugly appearance probably puts most people off. Salsify, sometimes called the oyster plant, is similar to a Parsnip but is thinner with a corky appearance. Scorzonera is similar but black in colour. They are both grown in exactly the same way. All parts of these vegetables can be eaten and they are an excellent source of iron in your diet. One word of warning though, do not let them go to seed, if you do you will be growing it for years after, if whether you want to or not.

To grow these vegetables the soil needs to be deep and friable, stone free and well manured for a previous crop.

They are tolerant and will grow in any soil but will do better in an organic rich one with a pH of 6.5. Do not use fresh manure or the roots will fork.

Sow in April when the ground has warmed up, by sowing thinly in drills 1" deep with 12" between rows. Thin to 6" apart when germinated.

Keep the plants weed free and ensure that the watering is regular to prevent the roots from cracking and splitting. Mulching with well-rotted compost or grass cuttings is a good idea.

In the autumn lift and store in boxes of peat or Vermiculite. Alternatively, the leaves and stems can be used fresh and some of the roots left in the ground. Cover them with a 1" layer of soil and leave over winter. In the spring, new shoots will grow. These can be used in salads.

They are subject to all the usual Root crop pests and diseases such as Slugs, Carrot Root Fly and Parsnip Canker. (See relevant Pests or Diseases sections)

© copyright 1999, P. A. Owen