Greater Burdock Arctium lappa

(Lycopersicon esculentum )

A popular crimson red medium tomato with great taste that tolerates low night temperatures, so it is ideal for cooler area. A Russian heirloom that is an early producer. A tough and vigorous producer that needs staking.

An attractive cultivar medium sized, scarlet red fruit that is full of flavour. Tolerant of cool night temperatures and ideal for cool climate gardens

Flavours/Food Partners

A rich flavored tomato that partners well with Latin herbs like garlic, oregano, marjoram, rosemary and thyme. Use with any good salad vegetable, Nasturtium flowers and mixed fresh herbs to make an attractive and tasty salad.

Health/Cooking/Medicinal

Like all tomatoes, Red Russian is high in the cancer fighting agent, Lycopene and also Vitamin C. For a classic rich sauce cook and mix with garlic, marjoram, sweet basil, diced shallots, and fresh pizza thyme. Finely dice, mix finely chopped shallots, fresh pesto basil and extra virgin olive oil and place on lightly toasted Turkish bread then top with an anchovie for a special homemade bruschetta.

Landscaping/Planting

Plant in an airy, sunny position in well drained soil or very large pots. Requires a 1.1 to 1.4 m stake.

Cultivation/Fertiliser

Like all tomatoes it must receive a deep soaking when almost dry and should not receive overhead watering. Feed regularly with Seasol and Powerfeed. A small amount of dolomite lime after planting will make stronger plants. Remove side shoots and develop two or three main leaders. Harvest when fruit is full color

Herb Attributes

Position Full Sun
Height 1.2m
Width 50cm

Description

(Arctium lappa)

A tall biennial with larger wavy foliage and clusters of thistle like, purple flowers over summer. The flowers should be harvested prior to producing seeds as it can become weedy if allowed to go to seed.

Flavours/Food Partners

As a nice crisp root vegetable with a sweet and pungent flavour. It has long been popular in East Asian countries as a staple food. The young leaves and stems are also eaten raw and cooked as a green leafy vegetable. Partners well with other root vegetables like carrot and daikon. It has a strong flavour so partners best with chillis, onions and ginger and garlic.

Health/Cooking/Medicinal

The young leaves are used in salads or cooked, and the roots and flower spikes are used in a range of dishes where they are pickled, baked, boiled or steamed. It can be blended with dandelion to make a healthy tea. Harvest the roots at about 3-4 months depending on location. The leaves can be picked at any time after the plant has become established. As with any other wisely grown herb there are a multitude of ailments that it is reported to cure or moderate.

Landscaping/Planting

General garden conditions, plant in rows 50cm apart. The harvestable roots are quite large and it prefers a good sandy loan. It is not suitable to pot culture. Water regularly during the summer months.

Cultivation/Fertiliser

Give regular applications of Seasol and Powerfeed to keep the plant healthy and producing well.

Herb Attributes

Position PART TO FULL SUN, LIGHT FROTS
Height 1.5M
Width 2.0M