Harvesting and Storing Roots

By brady in 19 Sep 2020 | 16:05
brady

brady

 Student
Posts: 7
Member since: 31 Aug 2020
I would love to harvest root medicine this fall and I've never harvested roots before. I'm surrounded by burdock, chicory and dandelion and have a patch of horseradish in the garden. How do you know when it is the optimal time to harvest roots? (I'm located in Southern Ontario.) Thank you.
19 Sep 2020 | 16:05
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David Winston

David Winston

 Instructor
Posts: 858
Member since: 22 Sep 2020
To some degree it depends on the plant, burdock is a biennial, you want to harvest the roots of the 1st year plant, not the mature second year (after the first frost) Horseradish you can harvest anytime. Chicory and Dandelion are best after the first frost.
22 Sep 2020 | 17:24
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Beverly

Beverly

 Student
Posts: 1
Member since: 2 Jul 2020
Timely question, thanks Brady. I harvested my first year Burdock Root today and it does not look woody at all like the root Im accustomed to. My roots have somewhat of a pale colored outer skin...perhaps I harvested to early...
22 Sep 2020 | 20:09
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brady

brady

 Student
Posts: 7
Member since: 31 Aug 2020
Thank you David! And also for elaborating on this in the Q&A in class. And I hear you, Beverly! I’ve been harvesting leaves and flowering tops of plants for years, but root harvest and preparation is still a mystery to me.
23 Sep 2020 | 23:34
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Jessa Fisher

Jessa Fisher

 Student
Posts: 80
Member since: 29 Jul 2020
You mentioned in class that during the second year, biennial roots like Burdock are more fibrous than medicinal. Do you think most of the burdock you would buy at a grocery store is probably 2nd year then and better for food than using as a tea or for tincturing? Thank you.
26 Sep 2020 | 20:54
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David Winston

David Winston

 Instructor
Posts: 858
Member since: 22 Sep 2020
I assume all of the Burdock you’re buying at a grocery store is harvested in the first year.
28 Sep 2020 | 21:10
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