Oat root is an old vegetable that is becoming increasingly popular. How to successfully plant oat roots in your own garden.
Oat root, also known as white salsify, disappeared from domestic gardens for a long time and was replaced by black salsify, but it has begun to make a comeback. Read here how to cultivate and care for oat roots in the garden and how you can use the harvest later.
Oat root: origin and properties
Oat root (Tragopogon porrifolius) is now unknown to us as a root vegetable, but that was not always the case. Some people know them better by their other names: purple goat's beard, habermark or white root. The oat root has its origins in the eastern Mediterranean region, from where the Romans spread it throughout Europe, including Germany. Its wild form, the Tragopogon porrifolius subsp. eriospermus, can still be found in large parts of Greece, Italy and Turkey. It has been used as a vegetable since ancient times. For us, however, the cultivated oat root was replaced in the long term by the closely related black salsify (Scorzonera hispanica), as this produces higher yields.
The oat root, like the black salsify, belongs to the goat's beard genus (Tragopogon) and thus to the daisy family (Asteraceae). The biennial, herbaceous plant is usually only cultivated once a year, since its roots are harvested. The approximately 20 to 30 cm long, white taproot contains milky juice, similar to salsify. If left to grow, the oat root will develop a height of 60 to 120 cm in the second year and form several flower heads along a bluish green stalk. The leaves are narrow, smooth and mostly juicy green. When it flowers, composite flower heads appear in June and July, the petals of which are a dull purple to purplish hue. The diurnal movement of the oat root blossoms is special. That is, they open in the morning and close again at noon. At the end of the flowering period, the infructescence gradually dries up and is reminiscent of the dandelion blowball(Taraxacum officinale).
Grow Oatroot
Oatroot can be grown in almost any garden. All sunny and semi-shady beds that are deep enough for root vegetables are suitable as a location. A humus and stone-free as well as light or sandy soil is preferred, but not a must. In contrast to black salsify, oat root can break up hardened soil and thus has a soil-improving effect. Locations with heavier soils are therefore also suitable. If the bed is prepared in the previous year, it is advisable to add organic fertilizer to the soil. Manure or compost, for example, are suitable for this. Alternatively, if the bed was still planted in autumn of the previous year, you can create ideal properties for plant growth by using a soil activator. Our Plantura organic soil activator, for example, is suitable for this, as its long-term effect supports the oat root in the long term and at the same time promotes the build-up of humus in the soil through microorganisms. Potatoes and other root crops are very good as a preceding crop. Root crops are all the crops that should be hoed regularly during growth to suppress weeds and keep the soil loose.
The oat root also loves cultivation in mixed cultures. Good partners are especially leeks (Allium porrum), kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes), Celery (Apium graveolens) or various types of lettuce.
The oat root seeds are sown directly into the bed. The best time for this is spring between March and May. To do this, the seeds are placed two fingers deep in the prepared bed with a row spacing of about 30 cm. The seeds germinate after about 10 to 14 days and should then be planted about 5 to 10 cm apart so that each plant has enough space.
Tip: When separating the seedlings, do not simply pull them out of the ground as this could damage the roots of neighboring plants. It is better to cut out the excess oatroot plants with a knife or scissors and sacrifice them so that the remaining plants can grow better.
Oat root care
While growing, the oat root is an undemanding plant.
However, care should be taken to ensure a good supply of water, especially during the dry summerwill. If the oat root is too dry, the root can become woody and bolt. This means that the plant stops growing thick at an early stage in order to start flowering.
In addition to regular watering, weeds should also be removed so that the oat root can grow unrestricted.
An additional fertilization is necessary not necessary during growth.
Harvesting oat roots: procedure, taste and preparation
In autumn the oat roots are ready to be harvested. However, since they will continue to grow for a long time, it is advisable not to start harvesting until the end of October. Since the oat roots are hardy, harvesting into February is possible without any problems. However, the plants should be protected with a layer of straw to prevent freezing and thus facilitate the harvest. To harvest the oat roots, you can use a digging fork or spade. Simply prick near the root, loosen and lift the soil so the oat root can be pulled out. Some care must be taken to avoid breaking the roots. Oat roots can be stored for a long time in a box filled with sand, even in the cellar.
Like salsify, oat root can be used as a root vegetable, it doesn't even need to be peeled. Steamed, roasted, deep-fried and processed into puree or soup, it tastes delicious. The oat root also tastes delicious raw, for example in a raw vegetable salad. The taste of oat roots is very similar to that of black salsify, but is slightly sweeter and more aromatic. It is reminiscent of the taste of oysters, which is why the oat root is also called 'oyster plant' in English. The 'Sandwich Island' variety in particular is very nutritious and is therefore an ideal winter vegetable. The leaves of the oat root can be eaten in a salad or as a spinach vegetable.
Are you looking for more unusual vegetables for your garden? Also read our article about the meat herb, which is related to oat roots.