Imagine a perennial root that tastes like the sweetest carrot you've ever eaten ... this is SKIRRET! Skirret literally means "sugar root". Skirret is our answer to the question, "how can I have an endless supply of carrot flavor without all of the hassle and work of planting carrots every year?" Skirret has captured our hearts and has earned not 1, but 2 full beds in our garden because it's so easy, so yummy, and so prolific. (Sium sisarum)
Why We Love It
Here are some of the reasons why we love Skirret...
1) SUPER SWEET - Skirret has all of the yummy goodness of a carrot, except much sweeter! Instead of being orange, it's white in color.
2) TRULY PERENNIAL - You can harvest the fattest roots from the skirret clump and then plant the crown back in the ground to keep on growing. It will keep producing more and more roots for you.
3) EASY STORAGE - You can store skirret roots in the ground until you're ready to enjoy them. They just keep getting bigger and fatter the longer they grow.
How to Grow It
Here's how to grow Skirret:
| SUN | SUN TO PART SUN |
| MOISTURE | REGULAR |
| GROWING ZONES | USDA 5-9 (Not sure? Find your growing zone here) |
| SIZE | 4 FEET TALL & 1 FOOT WIDE |
| PRO TIP |
Skirret doesn't like root competition, so keep your patch weed-free. If you keep your skirret patch moist, you will get sweeter, larger roots. Winter Sowing is the easiest way to start these seeds. Here's a seed-starting tutorial for you. You won't believe how easy it is! |
How to Harvest & Use It
Roots can be harvested any time of year, but are sweetest after a frost. You can use the skirret root just like you would a carrot. It can be eaten raw or cooked like a carrot. Roasting skirret helps to bring out the sweet flavor.