How to Grow Skirret
Sium sisarum
Skirret is a hardy perennial root vegetable producing clusters of sweet white roots, historically a prized Tudor-era delicacy. Plant divisions or seedlings in rich, moist soil in full sun to part shade. Do not harvest roots in the first year. From year two, dig clusters from late autumn to winter after the first frost sweetens them. Replant a few offsets each year to maintain your patch. The roots are sweeter than parsnip with a slightly nutty flavour. Tolerates most soils but produces thicker roots in deep, fertile ground.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Mulch with compost in spring. A balanced feed in early summer supports root development. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds which promote top growth at the expense of roots.
Watch For
- Carrot fly
- Slugs on young growth
- Aphids on flower heads
Care Requirements
Light
Full sun to partial shade
Produces the best roots in full sun but tolerates partial shade. Avoid deep shade where root development is poor.
Watering
Consistent moisture for plump roots
Naturally grows near water and prefers consistently moist soil. Water deeply during dry spells, especially in summer when roots are developing. Avoid waterlogging.
Fertilizing
Compost mulch in spring
Mulch with compost in spring. A balanced feed in early summer supports root development. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds which promote top growth at the expense of roots.
Pruning
Remove flower heads for larger roots
Cutting flower stalks before seed set redirects energy to root production. Leave a few to set seed if you want to propagate. Remove dead top growth in winter.
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 30 cm |
| Row spacing | 45 cm |
| Mature height | 120 cm |
| Mature spread | 40 cm |
Clump-forming perennial root vegetable. Space to allow digging without disturbing neighbours.
