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              

(Best months for growing Salsify in USA - Zone 5a 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

19 Jul 10, Michael Vicary (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Where can I buy Salsify seeds or punnets? I live at the base of the Blue Mountains NSW. Thankyou Regards Michael
22 Jan 11, Elisse (Australia - temperate climate)
I got my seeds from www.cornucopiaseeds.com.au, I am going to plant them this weekend.
04 Nov 10, Ruth (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
there is a great website to order seeds from italy , they also stock Salsify, I just put some in the ground today!! www.theitaliangardener.com.au, happy gardening Michael,cheers, Ruth
05 Dec 10, Poppy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I got my seeds off of Ebay - a shop called Bargain seeds Hope that helps :)
03 Mar 10, Jo Mckenzie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I'm trying it for the first time seeds seem to take ages to come up - i sowed them 2 weeks ago - maybe its still to hot here but will keep trying!!!
23 Nov 08, Stephen and Sandra (New Zealand - temperate climate)
We have got the black salsify, we would like to know where to get the white salsify from. When do you plant it and how long to harvest?
05 Dec 11, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I procured some black salsify seed from kings seed. They reckon its about three months before it is ready for harvest.
29 Sep 08, Tony Dowling (Australia - temperate climate)
I am originally from Invercargill New Zealand My father grows Salisfy, I remember as a kid my mother used to grate the salsify up make into patties and fry them very nice, we used to have the salsify to substitute for Bluff Oysters out of season. Yes the plant does have a resemblance to the taste of Oysters
23 Sep 08, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi, I'm in Canberra, planted Salsify some years ago, now it grows like a weed in the garden, which is fine, since we keep eating it! You can buy them from http://www.greenharvest.com.au and http://www.edenseeds.com.au/ We peel and chop, then boil them in water, with lemon juice and salt, like artichoke hearts. After the water reduces, we add cream, and bake with a layer of cheese (au gratin style). The flavour of the roots is better before the plant starts to make its flower in late spring. So harvest all through the cold weather. Our early spring is still pretty chilly. But seriously, I worried about how hard it might be to germinate when we first got them, now I can't stop them from self sowing. They seem to be germinating all year round!
05 Feb 08, Carolyn (Unknown climate)
We planted salsify seeds Sth Island, NZ, in early November. Does anyone know how long they take to mature!? Do we wait till the frosts arrive, as for parsnips?
Showing 71 - 80 of 86 comments

I have just purchased a white and black root of this plant at my vegie shop in Chirnside Park. I am going to plant both as they have nodes on top which will be leaves! I live in Launching Place, which is near Warburton in Vic. But not as cold! On hill, otherside of Yarra River. Any advice for growing here? I have grown horseradish from this shop, just cut top off and plant! Hopefully, it will work with these too!

- Heather

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