Burdock - Ferme de Sainte Marthe seeds

Burdock is a biennial medicinal and vegetable plant, reaching a height of 1.50 m (5ft). It is cultivated for its foliage, which can be consumed raw in salads or cooked like spinach, and for its root, which can be used like scorzonera. Sowing is done from February to July for a harvest four months later.

Burdock has been known since the Middle Ages and is widely cultivated in Asia. Its root can be cooked and eaten like salsify, and the young shoots can be consumed like asparagus. The tender, fresh, finely chopped young leaves can be used as a condiment in salads. The leaves can also be cooked and consumed like chard or spinach. Burdock has detoxifying, purifying, and diuretic properties and contains essential oil.

Mulching with crushed burdock is said to help fight against mildew. Indeed, burdock can "concentrate" copper ions and be a good fungicide.

Burdock requires regular fertilisation (3kg/m²) with well-rotted manure and compost at the end of autumn or the beginning of spring.

 
Non-treated or "NT" seeds come from conventionally grown plants (often with pesticides) but do not undergo any treatment after harvest. These seeds are allowed in organic market gardening when organic seeds are out of stock.

Harvest and storage: For immediate use, leaves and roots should be harvested as needed. For storage, harvest at the beginning of flowering and dry them in a dry and well-ventilated place.

Gardener's tip: Burdock is also an excellent ornamental plant.