Planting and Growing Guide for Salsify, or Vegetable Oyster (Tragopogon porrifolius)
Description
Salsify, or Vegetable Oyster, is root vegetable that is easy to grow in home gardens. Scorzonera is a variety with black-skin roots. Salsify is slow growing, but can be harvested when small as a continuous crop. Simply loosen the soil around the plants with a fork and harvest several roots as required. Plant extra numbers of plants for continuous harvest over the growing season. Salsify is a cool-weather biennial root crop. Salsify is slow growing and requires 3-4 months of growth for the roots to reach full harvest size. Sow Salsify 1-2 weeks before the last frost date in Spring when the soil temperatures are warmer. In areas with mild frost-free winters, Salsify can be sown in early autumn for a winter harvest. The taste of Salsify is best when it grows and matures in cool weather. Salsify and Scorzonera are grown by sowing seeds in Spring, as soon as the soil has warmed. Use mulch to control weeds and keep the soil moist. Avoid too much manure or compost as this can cause forking of the roots.
Salsify has a long, slender taproot with creamy flesh and a dark-tan skin. Salsify is often called the 'oyster plant' because it has a mild oyster-like flavor. Scorzonera has long slender black roots that can reach 1 m (3 feet) in length. The name reflects the root's black skin that is tough and inedible, and so needs to be removed before eating. The uncooked roots exude a latex-type substance when peeled and so work quickly to avoid a mess. Otherwise, peel the skin off the roots after they have been boiled or steamed for about 10-20 minutes. Peeled Salsify and Scorzonera roots are very versatile. Add the peeled and sliced roots to stews and soups. Or Salsify can be prepared as a side dish, by sautéing slices in garlic, and serving with a garnish of parsley and nutmeg.
Planting Guide
Seed Depth: Sow seed directly into the garden, or in seed trays at a depth of 1 cm (1/2 inch) after the last frost. Can also be grown earlier in deep seed trays and planted out. Seedlings can take up to 3 weeks to appear, so patience is required.
Space between plants: Thin the seedlings to a spacing of 10-20 cm (4-9 inches) between plants.
Harvest Time: Harvest in 12-18 weeks. However you can partially harvest roots as the plants grow.
Hints:
- Grows best in full sun
- Salsify requires a friable, deep soil, that is rich in organic matter. The soil needs to be loose and worked to the depth of 20-30 cm (8 to 12 inches) for the roots to develop unimpeded.
- Feed regularly and add compost around the plants as they grow as a mulch and source of nutrients.
- Water regularly to keep the plants growing and avoid growth checks which will make the roots stringy
- Salsify does best in well-drained, sandy, or light loamy soil with a slightly acid pH (6.0-6.8).
Disclaimer: The PlantWhatWhen vegetable planting guide is only designed for use as a very general reference for home gardening purposes. It is not to be used for farming, markets or commercial activities of any kind whatsoever. We take absolutely no responsibility for the accuracy and adequacy of the information provided on this site. We recommend that you consider your local climate, weather patterns and conditions when deciding what and when to plant in your home garden. It's entirely your own decision. Happy Gardening and Best Wishes!