[juliec]

Hi All,

Many thanks for those who gave me beetroot help.

Now I have 2 questions- firstly if my soil is too alkaline what do I add?

and

ive been given 5 salsify seeds (funny looking things) and I thought Id ask the experts what  I should do with them with regards to sowing, feeding, reaping and eating.

To be honest Id never heard of salsify until I was given the seeds.

Any and all help is much appreciated as alwasy.

kind regards

Julie

[JayG]

What makes you think your soil is too alkaline (and too alkaline for what?)

Salsify is usually sown in spring a few weeks before the last frosts are expected as it needs quite a long growing season; it is a root vegetable also known as the vegetable oyster, although not everyone agrees that is a suitable name.  

I didn't really succeed when I tried it and didn't like it much anyway, but with only five seeds you can no doubt afford to experiment!  

[evie2]

What does it taste like Jay?

[michellela]

I plan on growing some salsify next year and I would also like to know what they taste like as I've read that it's supposed to be a flavour like mild oysters.  Only problem is that I've never, nor will I ever be eating oysters.  Eurgh!

[arugula]

Perhaps not a veg. for you to try then?

[gillie]

I would say they have a mild, slightly parsnippy taste - nothing to be scared of!  I have tried to grow them on several occasions but mostly they have forked dreadfully and we have been lucky to get a single meal out of them.

Grow them like VIP parsnips.  Start them in tubes and then plant them out in deep holes is my best suggestion - but since I have not been very successful perhaps someone else has a better way.

We par boil them in their skins, then scrape the skins and hairy side roots off them and brown them in butter.

Gillie

[JayG]

What does it taste like Jay?

Yes, bit parsnippy, nothing "fishy" that I could taste, just not much of it and pretty faffy to prepare! 

[michellela]

Perhaps not a veg. for you to try then?

It's not the possible flavour that puts me off, more the thought that they must be really slippery.  Oysters that is.

Start them in tubes and then plant them out in deep holes is my best suggestion

I will try this as it's how I plan to start parsnips off.  Rolled up newspaper tubes is what I've settled on as I can use the limitless supply that I find on the train.

[Cheshire Phill]

To the OP:

I have a long row of salsify which I have yet to lift, also one of scorzonera.
I've heard thoughts of what they taste like, but will report back when I've actually eaten some of both!!!

Phill

[juliec]

thanks Cheshire Phil, where in cheshire are you?