Burdock Seeds - Arctium lappa

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

USDA Zones 2-10 - Burdock is grown as a hardy biennial across this entire range. For culinary purposes, it is treated as an annual and harvested for its root at the end of the first growing season.

Best Performance in Zones 4-8 - In these temperate climates, Burdock has a long enough season to develop a large, high-quality taproot. It can be planted in spring for a fall harvest or in fall to overwinter for an early summer harvest.

Northern Zones (2-4) - Plant seeds in the spring as soon as the soil is workable. The plant is very cold-hardy and will have a full season to develop its root for a late fall harvest before the ground freezes solid.

Hot Climate Zones (8-10) - For the best quality roots, sow seeds in the fall. The plant will establish through the mild winter and can be harvested in the spring before the intense summer heat, which can cause the roots to become tough and fibrous.

Soil Temperature - Germination is best in cool to mild soil, with an optimal temperature range of 60-75 degrees F.

Growing Season - Requires a long season of at least 90-120 days to develop a harvestable-sized taproot. The root is best harvested at the end of the first year's growth.

Learn more about USDA Hardiness Zones here

When to Plant:
Direct sow seeds outdoors.

For a fall harvest: Plant in early spring, around the time of your last average frost.

For a spring/early summer harvest (in mild climates): Plant in late summer or early fall.

Where to Plant:
Full sun to partial shade. The single most important factor for growing burdock is the soil. It must be deep, loose, loamy, or sandy, and free of rocks and compaction. This is essential for the long taproot to grow straight and be harvestable. Raised beds or deeply dug garden beds are highly recommended.

How to Plant:

Seed Prep: To improve germination, soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours before planting.

Sowing: Sow seeds about 1/2 to 1 inch deep, spacing them 4-6 inches apart in rows that are 24-30 inches apart.

Thinning: Once seedlings are a few inches tall, thin them to their final spacing of 12-18 inches apart to give the large plants enough room to grow.

Care & Maintenance:

Watering: Provide consistent moisture to encourage steady root development. Deep, regular watering is best. Inconsistent watering can lead to tough, fibrous roots.

Fertilizing: Burdock is not a heavy feeder and grows well in average soil. Amending the bed with some compost before planting is beneficial, but avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers which will promote leaf growth at the expense of the root.

Weeding: Keep the area well-weeded, especially when the plants are young, to reduce competition.

Harvesting: This is the most challenging part. The root is harvested at the end of the first growing season (fall for spring-sown seeds). The taproot can be 2-3 feet long and is brittle. The best method is to dig a deep trench along one side of the row, then carefully loosen the soil on the other side and gently lever the entire root out of the ground. Do not try to pull it straight up, as it will snap. If left in the ground, the plant will flower and produce burrs in its second year, and the root will become tough and woody.