Goat's Beard Salsify Yellow

What Goat's Beard Salsify Yellow is

Goat's Beard Salsify Yellow (Tragopogon pratensis) is a biennial herb of the Asteraceae family. Salsify, also known as goat's beard, flowers from June to July, and the seeds ripen from August to September.

The plant is pollinated by bees and flies and is self-fertile. Prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate strong winds, but not maritime exposure.

Salsify is considered a beneficial remedy for the liver and gallbladder. The herb has a detoxifying effect and can stimulate the appetite and digestion.

The high inulin content makes this herb a useful food for diabetics, since inulin is a nutrient composed of fructose rather than glucose units and therefore does not raise blood sugar levels.

Syrup made from the root brings great relief for persistent cough and bronchitis. A decoction of the root is given in the treatment of heartburn, loss of appetite and liver disorders.

The root is harvested in autumn and dried for later use. The fresh juice of young plants is said to be a good solvent of bile and to soothe the stomach without side effects.

Salsify is an old root vegetable with an oyster-like flavour.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 70%
• Seeds per packet: 64–87 pcs (0.2 g)
• Seed origin: Poland
• Sowing: March – May and September – November; direct
• Flowering: May and June
• Harvest: May – July
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Goat's Beard Salsify Yellow

Goat's Beard Salsify Yellow seeds are sown in March – May and September – November. The plants flower in May and June. The crop is harvested from May to July. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Goat's Beard Salsify Yellow

• Sowing method: direct
• Depth: 0.5–1 cm
• Spacing: 20–30 cm
• Germination: 10–20 days at 15–20 °C
• Position: sunny spot

Salsify seeds should be sown in spring or autumn outdoors, where they are to flower, and covered with soil. Once established, the herb self-seeds easily. Fresh sorrel can be stored for 3 days in the refrigerator, and blanched for 6 months in the freezer. Not suitable for drying.

Sow in deep, loose soil.

Harvest and use

The roots are lifted in autumn.

Frequently asked questions

When should Goat's Beard Salsify Yellow be sown?

The recommended months for sowing are March – May and September – November. Sowing method: direct.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 64–87 seeds, pack size 0.2 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 70%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.