Chiko Burdock Seeds

Chiko burdock grows long roots for the cooking pot. Try the cleaned roots in soups, braises, and stir-fries.

Packet: 12 seeds

Planting at a glance

• Season: Cool to mild season; deep-rooted crop
• Start: Direct sow where the roots will grow
• Seed depth: ¾ inch
• Germination: Allow time for emergence in a moist seedbed; use the packet’s lot directions if supplied
• Final spacing: Thin to about 2–3 inches; prepare 1–2 feet of loose root depth
• Light: Full sun
• Harvest planning: Harvest first-year roots in fall or early spring before flowering

When to plant

Plant during your local cool growing season. In colder regions, use spring or late-summer/fall sowings and allow enough growing time before hard freezes.

How to plant

1. Prepare loose, well-drained soil or a clean seed-starting mix. Direct sow where the roots will grow.
2. Sow ¾ inch deep. Keep the seedbed evenly moist until seedlings emerge. Then water when the soil needs it, allowing excess water to drain.
3. Thin or transplant to the listed final spacing. Give seedlings sufficient light and check moisture as roots establish.

How to harvest

Loosen the soil deeply and lift roots carefully before the second-year flower stalk develops.

Aunt E’s tip: The soil underneath matters as much as the space above: shallow containers limit these long roots.