Scorzonera & Salsify - Key Growing Information

Freshly harvested scorzonera roots with their tops still attached, a formerly common sight in cold-season root cellars.

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

Tragopogon porrifolius, Scorzonera hispanica

CULTURE:

Scorzonera and salsify prefer a deep, friable, well-drained soil. Sow in early to midspring in a 2" band about 1" apart (20 seeds/ft.), 1/2" deep, in rows 18-24" apart. Do not allow soil to dry out prior to emergence. Thin plants to 2-3" apart.

AVG. DIRECT SEEDING RATE:

Scorzonera: 1 oz./120', 8.3 oz./1,000', 11.5 lb./acre at 20 seeds/ft. in rows 24" apart. Salsify: 1 oz./130', 7.7 oz./1,000', 10.5 lb./acre at 20 seeds/ft. in rows 24" apart.

HARVEST:

Dig roots in late fall.

STORAGE:

Overwinter in soil like parsnips or store in root cellar or refrigerator at 32°F (0°C) and 95% relative humidity.

SEED SPECS:

AVG. SEEDS/LB: Scorzonera: 36,250; Salsify: 42,750.

PACKET:

100 seeds, sows 5'.

Scorzonera & Salsify