When to Plant Salsify in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide
That soil figure is read off our own weather station in South East Queensland at 21:55 yesterday, not a model.
What this month normally looks like in Subtropical
In October the Subtropical zone normally runs 27°C by day and 15°C overnight, with about 77 mm of rain over 7 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -0.2°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 33 postcodes, SILO.
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This Salsify guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Mar to May
- Days to harvest
- about 17 weeks
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Regular
- Spacing
- 12 cm apart
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.5
Salsify is an uncommon but rewarding root vegetable known as the 'vegetable oyster' for its mild oyster-like flavour when cooked.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Planting Calendar for Subtropical
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar D
- Apr D
- May D
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep -
- Oct -
- Nov -
- Dec -
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
One email a week with what is worth planting in the Subtropical zone right now, Salsify included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
How to Grow Salsify in Subtropical Australia
- Soil
- Deep, loose, stone-free soil. Dig to at least 30-40cm depth. Light sandy loam is ideal. Avoid heavy clay or stony soil which causes forked, stubby roots. Prepare with well-rotted compost dug in deeply.
- Salt
- Moderately sensitive. Copes with a little salt, but the harvest drops on salty bore water.
- pH Range
- 6.0-7.5
- Sunlight
- Full sun to light shade
- Spacing
- 12cm apart, 35cm between rows
- Watering
- Consistent moisture throughout the long growing season. Deep watering once or twice weekly. Irregular watering causes tough, woody roots.
- Good companions
- Dwarf Beans, Lettuce, Onion, Carrot, Spinach
- Keep away from
- Burdock
- Grow before it
- Fruiting crops (Tomato, Capsicum, Zucchini)
- Grow after it
- Legumes (Beans - Dwarf, Peas, Broad Beans)
Give the bed 3 turns before root crops go back in. Roots fork and go leafy in fresh manure, so they take the bed after the heavy feeders have used it.
Subtropical Growing Tips for Salsify
Recommended Varieties
- Mammoth Sandwich Island
- Scorzonera
Key Challenges
- Long growing season requires consistent care
- Limited local seed availability
Pro Tips
- Autumn sowing works well in SEQ for winter root development
- Black salsify (Scorzonera) is easier and more productive than white salsify
- Prepare deep beds. Roots grow 25-30cm long
Pests and problems for Salsify in Subtropical
Harvesting Salsify
When ready: Roots are at least 2-3cm diameter at the crown and 20-30cm long. White salsify: foliage begins to yellow in late autumn. Scorzonera: can be harvested in first year or left for a larger second-year harvest.
How to harvest: Dig deeply alongside the root with a fork (at least 30cm deep). Lift very gently. Salsify roots are thin, long, and snap extremely easily. Never pull by the foliage. Water the bed beforehand to soften soil. Cut foliage to 2cm. Do not scrub. Just brush off loose soil.
Storing and preserving salsify
How to keep it
- Refrigerator Storage. Wrap unwashed roots in damp paper towels inside a plastic bag. Store in crisper drawer. Keeps: 1-2 weeks.
- Freezing. Scrub, peel (salsify discolours rapidly, drop peeled pieces into lemon water immediately). Cut into chunks. Blanch 2-3 minutes. Ice bath, drain. Freeze on trays then bag. Keeps: 10-12 months.
- In-Ground Storage. Leave roots in the ground and harvest as needed through winter. Mulch for frost protection. This is the best method as roots deteriorate quickly once harvested. Keeps: 4-6 months in ground (through winter).
- Sand Storage. Harvest carefully. Do not wash. Layer in damp sand in boxes. Store at 1-4C in a dark, cool place. Keeps: 2-3 months.
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
- An email when it's time to sow
- Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
- Full salt and canning detail
Common Questions About Salsify
When do you plant salsify in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Apr to Jul
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Mar to May
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Mar to May, Aug to Oct
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Jan to Mar, Sep to Dec
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Sep to Dec
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Mar to May
- Mediterranean (Perth): Mar to Jun, Aug to Sep
Can you grow salsify all year round in Brisbane?
No. In the Subtropical zone the planting months are Mar to May. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
When should I plant Salsify in Brisbane?
A cool-climate root that gives a light crop here. Sow direct in autumn so roots form through winter.
What soil temperature do Salsify need?
Salsify germinate best when soil temperature is between 10°C and 30°C.
How do I know when Salsify are ready to harvest?
Roots are at least 2-3cm diameter at the crown and 20-30cm long. White salsify: foliage begins to yellow in late autumn. Scorzonera: can be harvested in first year or left for a larger second-year harvest.
What are the best Salsify varieties for Brisbane?
Recommended varieties for the Subtropical zone include: Mammoth Sandwich Island, Scorzonera.
What grows well with Salsify?
Good companion plants for Salsify include: Dwarf Beans, Lettuce, Onion, Carrot, Spinach.
Are salsify salt tolerant?
Only a little. Salsify are moderately sensitive to salt, so the harvest drops on salty bore water. Mix salty water with rainwater, and mulch the bed.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.