root · direct sow
Salsify: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating salsify a few times a week needs about 34 plants in ~17 sq ft, worth about $20 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$2.00/lb retail, an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 9 | ~5 sq ft | ~23 | ~$5 |
| 2 people | 17 | ~9 sq ft | ~43 | ~$10 |
| 4 people | 34 | ~17 sq ft | ~85 | ~$20 |
| 6 people | 50 | ~25 sq ft | ~125 | ~$30 |
Spacing
4" in row · 18" between rows
Sow depth
0.5"
Days to harvest
120 from seed
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Mar 20 – Apr 24 | May 26 – Jul 7 |
| Zone 4 | Mar 15 – Apr 19 | Jun 5 – Jul 17 |
| Zone 5 | Mar 5 – Apr 9 | Jun 15 – Jul 27 |
| Zone 6 | Feb 23 – Mar 30 | Jun 25 – Aug 6 |
| Zone 7 | Feb 8 – Mar 15 | Jul 5 – Aug 16 |
| Zone 8 | Jan 28 – Mar 4 | Jul 26 – Sep 6 |
| Zone 9 | Dec 26 – Jan 30 | Aug 15 – Sep 26 |
| Zone 10 | Dec 6 – Jan 10 | Aug 25 – Oct 6 |
Know when it's time to plant
Give us your ZIP and we'll email you a planting checklist for your exact frost dates, this month's list right now, then once a month when sow windows open.
One email a month, only when there's something to plant. Unsubscribe anytime.
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Ready to pick when
Roots about an inch across after a full long season; like parsnip, frost improves the flavor.
Yield
About 0.3 lbs per plant over ~1 productive weeks (~0.3 lb).
Watch for
Carrot rust fly · Parsleyworm · Aphids, the pest guide covers organic fixes for each, and Pest Radar shows what gardeners near you are reporting right now.
Neighbors
Plays well with carrot, onion.
On the plate (per 100 g, USDA)
82 kcal · 3.3 g fiber · 8 mg vitamin C · 380 mg potassium
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code, not just your zone, in about 60 seconds.
Salsify keeps for months in cool storage. See how much to grow and store to feed your household, and how long it keeps.
Salsify planting questions
How many salsify plants do I need per person?+
For steady eating (about 3 servings a week), plan on roughly 9 plants per person. A family of 4 needs about 34 plants, which takes around 17 sq ft of bed space.
How much space does salsify need?+
Space plants 4" apart in the row with 18" between rows. Sow 0.5" deep. Direct sow in the bed.
When should I plant salsify?+
It depends on your frost dates. Spring sowing is keyed to your last spring frost. It also has a fall window keyed to your first fall frost. The zone table on this page shows typical windows; enter your ZIP in the free planner for dates tuned to your exact location, not just your zone.
Is growing salsify worth it?+
At about $2.00/lb retail and ~0.3 lb per plant, a family-of-4 planting is worth about $20 a year at the store. Prices vary by region and season, so treat it as an estimate.