Harvesting Salsify for the 1st Time Ever

[@GreenLove1]

Hairy carrot LOL 😂!!! Not sure why that sounds so funny. Did you let a few of these go to seed the following year? The blooms are so pretty and dry into these dandelion-like orbs!

[@maritimegardening4887]

Yes I did - now I have a millions seeds :)

[@delphinium5555]

I grew them once and were delicious! Am growing again this year.

[@edieboudreau9637]

Thanks. Tried growing them but think I weeded them out...lol

[@scribble4766]

MIGardener.com carries the seeds.

[@Dragons_Novel]

I've never heard of these plants, but a quick search tells me the entire plant is edible: root, shoots and flowers. And that the Greeks grew them. I see them on sale at Ebay. I might try them next spring. It took me a moment to realise you don't have snow. Either this was shot before November 28th, or you're in the part of the province missed by that storm last Thursday. We got hit hard, and have about 1/2 foot of snow still on the ground. And that snow is like ice. I was lucky to get my garlic in the ground a week ago.

[@maritimegardening4887]

I'm really close to the coast. There's snow on the ground 15 minutes inland of here. Was an insane drive home last thurs. Whole city lost its mind :) Drove through snow and ice, in HFX, but there was nothing here. Road was bare :)

[@Dragons_Novel]

@@maritimegardening4887, it took some friends 6 hours to get home in that storm. Normally it takes 45 minutes. My daughter got stuck in town and stayed with a friend. I think many drivers still had their summer tires on. The jack-knifed rigs blocking the 102 and the old #2 didn't help.

[@lunarsuu]

Does the root of salsify paint hands brown that not easily wash out with water? There is a plant in my garden that look like giant dandelions .i thought they are dandelions but the roots has a milky substance and painted my hands brown. So im in doubt. You may help my identification.

[@maritimegardening4887]

I'd have to see a picture - post a picture on my facebook page

[@melvinbrown3461]

Were do I get the seeds to purchase thanks for your reply have a great day

[@maritimegardening4887]

This is the only way I know to get them: nikitovka.com

[@janemanby]

As a child in the sixties my father grew salsify and scorzonera which has the common name black salsify though they are different. Salsify has a shorter paler root and grass like leaves while coroner's root is much longer and black. The flowers are different too ... Salsify flowers are pink and daisy like while scorzonera are yellow and dandelion like. Sclorzonera has a root three feet long. Both taste similar and are referred to a poor man's oysters, no the can be left in ground and taste gets better when exposed to frost. You can eat the young leaves of both in salad or cooked and the flowers. The seeds can be stored e d and eaten though l never have. They do not lend themselves to commercial growing which is why you never see them today but in an allotment situation they are ideal because you get more than just the root to eat and they need little space to grow also need little care. Hope that helps we eat them as puree on their own not in soups and stews as the flavour is delicate.

[@janemanby]

How do you edit you posts as the predictive text put wrong words in

[@maritimegardening4887]

There's three dots to the right of the heart icon - the option to edit is there - also - thanks for all the info on salsify. !!

[@leegarner4111]

never heard of it until now.

[@edieboudreau9637]

Thanks. Tried growing them but think I weeded them out...lol

[@wildedibles819]

We have a few of these... They spread well... I'm going to get them first thing in the spring mine were wild... I guess I'm lucky to have them wild mine have yellow flowers and grow in my grass...

[@annestudley8235]

I can't wait to hear how you like them - I love them. I had one that hadn't come up last year come up this year - you can eat those side shoots if you don't peel them - no problem and delicious.

[@maritimegardening4887]

I forgot to mention about eating the greens as well - I think you've mentioned that before.

[@annestudley8235]

@@maritimegardening4887 Good memory! The taste is mild, but you might have to put them in a nutribullet after cooking them in a pressure cooker, as they're pretty tough. I love making a green pured soup with chicken broth with added sauteed onions (and garlic for you) and mushrooms.

[@wildedibles819]

Haha I see everyone using a paint roller in the garden now lol... I had a hand rake break into 1 fork same thing I love a 1 hook tool to dig or a maple digging stick it works well so you don't need a shovel and break the roots... Love your ideas.... These have beautiful dandelion orbs of seeds they blow in the wind the same that's why they grow well in my hedge collects the seeds well.... I have snow all over mine already they are soposed to be better after a freze... But need to be collected first thing in the spring before the plant shoots up a flower spike... Perfect veg to collect all winter

[@maritimegardening4887]

I plant to leave a couple to go to seed. Eating them today for the 1st time. Tried a piece raw - was quite sweet.

[@wildedibles819]

@@maritimegardening4887 ya that's what I've heard should taste good roasted... Let us know how they taste...

[@maritimegardening4887]

@@wildedibles819 Tastes a bit like cassava/yucca I think based on tonight's 1st attempt.

[@wildedibles819]

@@maritimegardening4887 well that's not bad lol... Something neat to try anyway thanks

[@vmcshannon]

We are in Nebraska have western salsify. It’s a prairie wildflower. You can dig up the roots and eat them. I have some seeds for Western salsify and I have some seeds for black salsify. I haven’t tried planting either one of them. I guess I’m waiting to see how they turn out with you!

[@maritimegardening4887]

Cooking them up right now :)

[@AbeedBasheer]

Very nice share:):) Enjoyed with full_view:):)

[@maritimegardening4887]

Thanks

[@stiffish001]

Nice what did it taste like

[@maritimegardening4887]

I'll let you know - they're in the oven right now.

[@DavidMFChapman]

Yum? What inspired you to plant them? Waiting for Part 2.

[@maritimegardening4887]

I read once that Ben Franklin grew them in his garden - so I thought I'd give them a try.

[@djf8619]

Googled it... supposed to taste like oysters. Being you are so close to the sea, maybe you can do a taste comparison. I have some in my flower garden. I like the yellow flowers. I see that the flower also comes in Pink... but have never seen one. Til today, I didn't know it had an edible root. Will have to try it.... but only will if you like it.

[@maritimegardening4887]

Tastes nothing like oysters. When oven roasted, it tastes like cassava (also called yucca) to me.

[@maritimegardening4887]

Also, there's apparently another variety that is totally black and not nearly as "hairy" - I may try that next year.

[@johnhazaras3160]

I haven't seen the sun in 2 or more weeks and I doubt a low tunnel will help very much ,maybe a degree or 2 difference but not enough to prevent soil from freezing. Maybe 8 inches of mulch and low tunnel might be better but I'm done for the year. Will start in mid March with starting seeds in the greenhouse.

[@maritimegardening4887]

Sounds bleak man !

[@johnhazaras3160]

@@maritimegardening4887 yes not my favourite time of year especially with my arthritis but I am very thankful for the food I put away, still have loads of pumpkins and squash, potatoes and garlic but not too many beans this year or zucchini. Lots of canned tomatoes and eggplants, so I can't complain. I can use the off season to research and use new techniques to improve quality and quantity.

[@edieboudreau9637]

John Hazaras same problem with beans & zukes.

[@johnhazaras3160]

@@sojourneroftheland southern Ontario, Hamilton area

[@johnhazaras3160]

Edie Boudreau i usually plant zucchini in my raised beds where I have lots of compost but this year I planted in a new spot where is clayish and end result much lower yield. I noticed flowers but maybe not many pollinators or not enough female flowers , not really sure. Plan for 2020 is back in the raised beds.

[@grannyanri2521]

My family called this oyster plant as well as salsify. Therefore, my mother cooked them rather like an oyster stew. Interesting flavor and, as I recall, a bit woody feeling in the mouth, but not unpleasant.

[@maritimegardening4887]

Tried this evening for the 1st time - tastes a bit like cassava/yucca to me.

[@grannyanri2521]

@@maritimegardening4887 How did you prepare them? Sorry - those are foreign to me so can't imagine. Hope you enjoyed them. Your videos are so inspirational for me. I have not gardened for a number of years, but the deer fence is still there and my green thumb is beginning to swell as my health improves - very hopeful!

[@rosstemple7617]

Ok without tasting it I’m bothered 😕

[@maritimegardening4887]

Sorry

[@rosstemple7617]

Maritime Gardening I’ve never heard of them. Interesting to say the least. They look like parsnips