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Skirret Seeds

Skirret Seeds - Sium sisarum - Sugar Root

Sium sisarum
Sugar Root
  • Hardy to Zone 5
  • Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Germination Tested November 22, 2024: 95%
  • Approximately 120 seeds per packet
$5.00 CAD
$5.00 CAD
Sale Sold out

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 most 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.

If started early enough from seed, they can make large enough roots to eat by fall. But for the best harvest wait until the second year at least. Yields will keep increasing after that.

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 probably all year, although the flavour is probably best from fall-early spring.

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, and was wildly popular in Europe in the middle ages.

Further breeding efforts could focus on larger roots, and getting rid of the woody core that some roots have. But it's already pretty amazing as it is! I've heard rumours of a pink skirret being developed.

Some of this year's seed is grown by my friend, Al Chomica, who operates an incredible nursery just south of my farm in Nanoose called Plants of Worth.

Growing Instructions

Skirret seeds can be challenging to germinate. I recommend sowing outdoors in pots in spring after danger of frost. Skirret seeds germinate slowly and erratically over several weeks or months, so be patient! It seems that oscillating temperatures are the key to getting these seeds to germinate (cool nights and warm days). Keep the soil moist.
Some people recommend using a heat mat indoors, but I haven't had great success using that method. If you want to get a jump start on the season, you could try putting the pot in and out of the fridge every day or every few days, perhaps alternating with a heat mat.

Once enough seedlings have come up and they are large enough to handle, plant them in the garden about 1 to 1.5 feet apart.

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

We ship seeds via Canada Post within Canada for $6 to $8 depending on weight, United States for $12, and Internationally for $20*. Live plants and large bulbs can only be shipped within Canada.

Any shipping overages will be refunded.

 

Shipping in Canada 

We ship seeds in Canada via regular letter mail, which is an untracked service, and usually takes 1-2 weeks to arrive once we fulfill your order. Larger bulbs and plants are sent via tracked flat rate box.

 

Shipping to the US

We ship all US orders via regular letter mail, which is an untracked service, and usually takes 1-2 weeks to arrive.

In our experience shipping seeds over several years, most small orders will make it across the border without issues, but occasionally they will be held at US Customs. 

It is the buyer's responsibility to ensure that seeds or bulbils are allowed to be sent to your region. We are not able to replace packages that are confiscated or destroyed by customs in your country. 

 

Shipping Internationally

International orders are usually shipped via untracked packet. The package will list the contents as "Garden Seeds". It is your responsibility to ensure you have the required import permit. Cicada Seeds will not be responsible for any orders held of confiscated by customs.

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

 

If you have any issues with your order, please contact us within 60 days and we will do our best to make it right.

*Shipping fees listed here are in Canadian dollars. 

Ecologically Grown

Seeds are grown ecologically without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers.

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Customer Reviews

Based on 2 reviews
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N
N.m.
they all sprouted

I planted my seeds in a multi-cell tray in May, and put it outside full-time in a sunny area. I didn't manage to keep it moist the whole time. They all started sprouting about 3 weeks later.

E
Emé
Not a single sprout

Not a single one of these seeds germinated. I know the package says "inconsistent germination" but multiple attempts with multiple methods and not a single one sprouted.