Growing Salsify, also Vegetable oyster

Tragopogon porrifolius : Asteraceae / the daisy family

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

(Best months for growing Salsify in New Zealand - cool/mountain 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 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 6 - 8 inches apart
  • Harvest in 14-21 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Beans, Brassicas, Carrots, Celeriac, Endive, Kohl-rabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Alliums, Spinach

Your comments and tips

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05 Aug 12, Karen Hawkins (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can I buy salsify seed in Tasmania have just tryed it and enjoyed very much. thank you cheers Karen
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27 Aug 12, Paul Yacopetti (Australia - temperate climate)
theitaliangardener.com.au Very fast service,reliable seeds and big quantity in pack. Have bought a few lots off them;hignly recomended
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07 Jul 12, d james (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
yes I also like growing it transplanted 30 seedlings and all still alive and very happy by the garlic
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26 May 12, Yvonne Gill (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Do you where I could obtain seeds for salsify in South Africa?
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20 Mar 12, Fini (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I bought salsify seeds from the lost seed.
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19 Mar 12, Lee (Australia - temperate climate)
Just curious where and if seeds can be purchased in Western Australia for salsify. Interested in giving it a go...
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18 Jun 12, kate (Australia - temperate climate)
I would like to know as well,I also reside in West Aust.
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22 Feb 12, Adrian van Leest (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Two weeks ago I sowed 80 salsify seeds by inserting each vertically into the soil 5cm apart in rows 15cm apart with the blunt end of the seed at the top level with the ground. So far 58 plants have emerged and I have resown the empty spaces inbetween. I love salsify thinly sliced at an angle and fried with garlic in butter, just like abolone. Yum! Yum!
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27 Mar 12, Adrian van Leest (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
A correction to my comment below. I have found that salsify seed forms roots from the blunt end of the seed (from where it was attached to its parent plant). And so it's best to sow salsify seeds by inserting the blunt end of the long seed down into the soil with the pointy end just jutting out ready for the sprouting plant to emerge.
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30 Dec 11, Diane Mathers (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I have just harvested my first crop of salsify. The roots are small and forked quite a lot. Is this due to too much nitrogen in the soil or is this normal ?
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Showing 51 - 60 of 86 comments
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I remember eating black salsify (Schwarz- Wurzel in Germany.) They tasted very much like Asparagus. Very nice! Why can I not buy this vegetable in Australian vegetable shops? I may try and grow black salsify in my garden in subtropical region of Australia. Should I best wait for winter's colder weather?

- Elisa Turner

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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. GardenGrow 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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