Skirret CROWNS (not seeds)

Skirret CROWNS (not seeds) - Sium sisarum - Sugar Root

Sium sisarum
Sugar Root

Hardy to Zone 3 or 4
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Germination Tested N/A

1 crown

$15.00 CAD

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Skirret is a delicious perennial root vegetable in the carrot family. It produces masses of long off-white roots that taste somewhat like a potato crossed with a carrot and a parsnip. They are great roasted, but can also be boiled, fried, stewed, added to soups, or eaten raw grated or out of hand. The roots do not need to be peeled, although some roots have a thin woody core that is easily removed by the diner after cooking. The spring shoots can be eaten, as well as the mature leaves, which taste like celery leaf or parsley.

Skirret is a "forgotten" crop, which likely fell out of favour because it was difficult to cultivate using modern industrial agriculture methods. But it's very easy to grow for the backyard gardener! It's native to China or Asia more broadly, and was wildly popular in Europe in the middle ages.

HARVESTING: If started from crowns, plants can make enough roots to harvest by fall. You essentially get a year head start than growing from seed. Yields will keep increasing after that. Or leave plants in place for even bigger harvests next year.

To harvest, wait until the top has died back in the fall, then dig up the whole plant. Cut off the largest roots, and replant the rest of the crown. If any offsets have formed around the base, you can pull or cut those off and plant them separately. The main crown can often be divided into multiple new plants using a sharp shovel. Roots can be harvested all winter, and apparently all year once plants are established, although the flavour is probably best from fall-early spring.

CLEANING: I find spraying roots with the hose gets them quite clean, but you may need to scrub them a bit in the sink as well.

EATING: Skirret can be eaten raw or cooked. My favourite way to eat them is to roast them in the oven with a bit of oil and salt. They're like pre-cut fries! They're also great in soups, where they get soft quite quickly, and could be used as a thickener. Creamed skirret soup would be great...

CROWN SIZING: I'm offering two sizes of crowns, which should both grow very well. A "large" crown as seen in the second photo, and a "small" crown as seen in the third photo. Both sizes will have several sprouts and a few storage roots, although the small size will have fewer storage roots.

Growing Instructions

Plant outdoors fall through spring when the ground isn't frozen. Mulch for some protection, especially if a cold snap is coming. Otherwise store in the fridge to prevent sprouting until planting time.

Growing conditions: Skirret does best in full sun, but part shade may be ok as well. Well drained soil is best, but it seems to do fine in heavy or clay soil as well, as well as swampy soils. Not drought tolerant.

Shipping & Returns

By placing an order, customers agree to the shipping policies detailed on this page.

Shipping within Canada

We ship seeds via Canada Post within Canada for $6 to $8 depending on weight.

We ship seeds in Canada via regular letter mail, which is an untracked service, and usually takes 1-3 weeks to arrive once we fulfill your order, but occasionally orders take longer, especially to the Eastern provinces and rural areas.

Customers can now opt for tracked, express shipping options at checkout if you require faster delivery.

Larger bulbs and plants are usually sent via tracked flat rate box.

Shipping to the US

We require all US shoppers to obtain a Small Seed Lot Import Permit before we can mail your seeds. It's free to apply, and you will likely be granted the permit instantly, although some require additional verification via mail. We appreciate if you can email us your permit as soon as you can after your purchase.

If you do not email us your permit documents after one week, we will refund your order minus a $10 processing charge.

How to apply for your Small Seed Lot Import Permit:

Please follow these instructions carefully so you don't end up with the wrong type of permit!
Go to https://efile.aphis.usda.gov/s/
Select PPQ-587 in the dropdown menu and click "Get Started".
Login and follow the instructions to obtain a permit.
Under the Commodity Type drop down, make sure you select the "Small Lots of Seed". See screenshot below.
It's best to list "Eligible Taxa" instead of listing all the species you'd like to import so you don't need to worry about missing any species you ordered.
Once you receive your permit, promptly email us 2 documents: a copy of your permit and a copy of the yellow/green shipping labels. Tell us which USDA station you want us to send the seeds to. If not mentioned we will choose one. Our email is grow@cicadaseeds.ca
We are not able to send any pepper or tomato seeds, or any live plant materials to the US due to restrictions.

Need help? Contact the APHIS plant permit team at:

EMAIL: plantproducts.permits@usda.gov

PHONE: 877-770-5990

What happens next?

After receiving your documentation, we will mail your seeds to an inspection facility in the US. We will ship via tracked parcel, and you will receive the tracking number when your order has shipped. Orders will be mailed first to a plant inspection facility in the US, then they forward the package on to your address after inspection. Tracking is only available to the inspection facility, not to your address.

The mail and inspection process can take several weeks, depending on how long the inspection takes. Unfortunately we are not able to replace packages that are confiscated or destroyed by customs, or for any additional duties or tariffs placed on your order.

Shipping Internationally

International customers can select tracked or untracked shipping at checkout. The package will list the contents as "Garden Seeds". It is your responsibility to ensure you have the required import permit. We are not able to send any live plant materials internationally. Cicada Seeds will not be responsible for any orders held or confiscated by customs, or for any additional duties or tariffs placed on your order.

International shipping countries include: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom.

This list may change without notice. Sometimes Canada Post will not allow us to ship to certain countries due to wars or natural disasters, see this page for delivery service alerts: https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/our-company/news-and-media/service-alerts.page

Please reach out if your country is not on this list, email us and we will try to arrange an alternate shipping option.