{"product_id":"chiko-burdock-seeds","title":"Chiko Burdock (Arctium lappa) Seeds – Long Slender Root, Nutritious Asian Culinary Herb, Easy to Grow, Overwinters Like Parsnips","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e25+ Seeds\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Root Japanese Kitchens Rely On\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eWalk into any Japanese grocery store and you'll find bundles of gobo, long, earthy, slender roots showing up in braises, stir-fries, and simmered dishes across the cuisine. Chiko Burdock is that root, grown at home instead of imported. This variety produces long, slender, easy-to-harvest roots with the mild, nutty, faintly sweet flavor gobo is prized for, plus genuine nutritional density that's made burdock a staple beyond Japan. It overwinters like parsnips, sweetening with cold and staying harvestable through the coldest months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho Grows Chiko Burdock?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe home cook wanting fresh gobo instead of relying on imported or canned root.\u003cbr\u003eThe Japanese and East Asian food gardener growing an authentic staple.\u003cbr\u003eThe root vegetable enthusiast after something beyond carrots and parsnips.\u003cbr\u003eThe cold-climate gardener wanting a root crop that overwinters reliably.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat This Asian Culinary Root Actually Is\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eArctium lappa\u003c\/em\u003e, called burdock or gobo, is a biennial plant in the daisy family, native to Europe and Asia and long cultivated as a root vegetable, especially in Japanese cuisine. Chiko is a burdock variety selected for long, slender roots reaching 2 to 3 feet, easier to harvest than traditional varieties that grow considerably longer and require deeper digging. The root has a mild, earthy, faintly sweet flavor and a fibrous, slightly crunchy texture that softens with cooking, commonly braised, simmered in dashi, or shredded into kinpira gobo. Above ground, the plant produces large, coarse leaves in year one and, if left a second year, tall flowering stalks topped with thistle-like purple blooms that become the familiar burr seed heads. Roots are harvested in year one for the best texture, and the plant tolerates cold well, allowing roots to overwinter like parsnips. Hardy as a biennial in zones 3 through 9.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn the Kitchen \u0026amp; Garden\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKinpira gobo:\u003c\/strong\u003e Julienne fresh root and stir-fry with carrot, soy sauce, and mirin for a classic side.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSimmered root dishes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Add sliced burdock to nimono-style simmered vegetables for earthy texture.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMiso soup addition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Add thin slices to miso soup for extra body and a mild, nutty note.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePickled burdock:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pickle sliced root in a simple vinegar brine for a crunchy, tangy condiment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOverwintered harvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Leave roots in the ground through winter and dig as needed; cold sweetens flavor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoot tea:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dry and roast sliced root for a traditional burdock root tea.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Chiko Burdock Seeds\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStart method:\u003c\/strong\u003e Direct sow outdoors; burdock forms a long taproot and dislikes transplanting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTiming:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sow in spring after last frost, in deep, loose soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGermination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sprouts in 10-21 days.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep, loose, stone-free soil is essential for straight, easily harvested roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thin seedlings to 6-8 inches apart in rows 18-24 inches.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Consistent moisture through the season for even roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Roots reach harvest size in about 100-120 days.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dig carefully in fall, or leave in ground and harvest through winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOverwintering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cold-hardy; roots survive frozen soil and sweeten with cold.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSecond-year growth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Left unharvested, plants flower in year two, attracting pollinators.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStorage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Roots store well in cool, moist sand if harvested before hard freeze.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBefore You Close This Page\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is the root behind gobo, grown at home instead of shipped from overseas. Chiko Burdock produces long, manageable roots with the mild, earthy flavor Japanese cooking has relied on for centuries. It overwinters like parsnips, getting sweeter as weather turns cold, and asks only for deep, loose soil to grow straight and true. Use it in kinpira, simmered dishes, or miso soup, or dry it for tea. Grow the root vegetable Asian kitchens never stopped depending on.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"terramatergardens","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54377519972670,"sku":"11584","price":3.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/8836\/7166\/files\/candles-5873.png?v=1789176997","url":"https:\/\/www.terramatergardens.com\/products\/chiko-burdock-seeds","provider":"Terra Mater Gardens","version":"1.0","type":"link"}