Oenothera biennis - Ferme de Sainte Marthe seeds seeds

Oenothera biennis or Evening Primrose is a biennial vegetable plant that can grow up to 1 to 1.5 metres (3 to 5 feet) tall and is highly ornamental. It is cultivated for its fleshy, swollen, and yellowish root, which can be cooked and consumed similar to salsify. From June to October it produces magnificent yellow flowering. Sow the seeds in September-October or in April, and harvest 7 to 8 months later.

This plant is sometimes called "Gardener's Ham" due to the colour of its roots, which resemble ham when thinly sliced. The roots can be cooked in stock or butter, or in soups or salad.

Evening Primrose requires normal fertilisation (3kg/m²) with well-decomposed manure and compost at the end of autumn or the beginning of spring.

Harvest and storage: The roots can be harvested from late October to March. They store well in the ground.

Gardener's tip: Hoe and weed. Mulch in case of drought. Evening Primrose can self-seed abundantly if the soil is suitable. If you don't want it to spread spontaneously in your garden, cut the flower stems at the end of the flowering period.