Growing Scorzonera (Black Salsify) - Benefits and Instructions
Benefits of Growing Scorzonera
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Medicinal- Scorzonera can help boost the immune system, improve digestion, regulate blood pressure, maintain bone health, improve brain health and the active antioxidants are effective in reducing a variety of carcinogens.
- Nutritional Profile - Protein, fiber, inulin, calcium, copper, iron.
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Use in: Salads,soups, roasted, braised, mashed
Growing Instructions
Culture:
Sun Exposure: Full sun, but will tolerate shade.
Soil: Prefers light sandy soil that is slightly alkaline with a pH of 7.0
Moisture: Frequent and consistent watering all season. If it gets too dry the root becomes fibrous
Planting: Direct plant once the last frost has passed and the soil is workable. If you choose to start your plants indoors, then do so about 6 to 8 weeks before your chosen transplant date. After transplant, weed carefully, as scorzonera looks just like grass until it begins to mature.
Spacing: Plant 4 inches apart. You can plant closer and thin the seeds out later to ensure a good number of germinations.
Sow seeds: Plant seeds 1⁄2 inch deep
Harvesting:
Leave some scorzonera roots in the soil to take advantage of it as a perennial vegetable. Harvest the majority of your crop after the recommended 120 days to maturity. Note that if you allow your black salsify to grow a little while longer, their flavor will improve exponentially.
Storage/Preparation:
Store these lovely roots with their peels intact, in a cool, dry area. Like other root vegetables, they can be packed in straw or sand for long-term storage. These are perfect to store in cold cellars or basement pantries, provided that these rooms aren’t too humid.
Companions:
Carrots, thyme, rosemary, sage, potatoes, turnips, bean, spinach. Scorzonera grows best next to white salsify.