Root vegetables are amazing. They'll grow and grow, putting on more and more leaves through the season with little hint of what lays buried underneath the ground except for the very tip of the iceberg. There's nothing more satisfying then uprooting these easy to grow gems, whether they be salsify, burdock, jicama, chicory or something else, cleaning off the dirt and admiring your handy work. The taste and variety of fresh home grown root vegetables is far superior to anything available from the supermarket shelf. Stagger plant a few seeds every couple of days during the growing season so you don't get a glut of produce all at once, unless you happen to be good at preserving vegetables. Our full range of heirloom root vegetable seeds currently available to buy can be found below:
Other Heirloom Root Vegetable Seeds
Burdock 'Takinogawa Long'
Takinogawa Long is a traditional Japanese variety of Burdock grown for its long brown roots with white flesh. Flavour is similar to Salsify. Stems can also be eaten. 16-18 weeks to harvest. Each packet contains 30 heirlooms seeds.
Chicory 'Coffee Root'
Coffee Root is an open-pollinated Chicory variety grown for its large taproot that can be roasted, ground and used as a caffeine-free coffee alternative. Leaves can also be eaten as a cooked green vegetable similar to dandelion greens. 100 seeds per packet.
Jicama
Jicama or Yam Bean is a climbing vine that develops a large round edible root with tan skin and white flesh. Can be peeled and eaten raw or cooked. Flavour is like mild peas with a crisp and juicy texture. The pods, flowers, seeds and leaves of Jicama are all toxic and should not be eaten. 21-24 weeks to harvest. 12 seeds per packet.
Kohlrabi 'Purple Vienna'
Purple Vienna is a purple-skinned heirloom Kohlrabi with sweet white flesh. Edible both raw or cooked, flavour tastes like a cross between cabbage and turnip. The swollen stem segment grows just above the soil surface and is best picked young for optimal tenderness. Cold hardy and easy to grow. Each packet contains approx 120 seeds.
Kohlrabi 'White Vienna'
White Vienna is a sweet, mild flavoured Kohl Rabi with pale green skin and tender, white flesh. Delicious raw or lightly steamed. 120 seeds per packet.
Parsley 'Hamburg Turnip Rooted'
Hamburg Turnip Rooted is a variety of Parsley grown for it's large taproot rather than for its leaves. Can eaten cooked as a vegetable or grated raw into salads and sandwiches. Delicious when roasted. Flavour is a mix of carrot and parsnip. Leaves can also be eaten like regular parsley. 250 seeds per packet.
Salsify 'Mammoth Sandwich Island'
Mammoth Sandwich Island is a heirloom variety of Salsify with roots growing to 20cm long and having a flavour reminiscent of oysters. Each packet contains 30 heirloom seeds.