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Yahuah's Farm

Burdock (Gobo)

Burdock (Gobo)

$3.50 USD
$3.50 USD
Sale Sold out

🌿 Burdock (Gobo) — Organic Seeds

Botanical Name: Arctium lappa
Common Names: Burdock, Gobo, Great Burdock

🌱 Seed Quality Promise

All seeds sold by Yahuah’s Farm are 100% organic, non-GMO, and never chemically treated or coated.
We do not sell pelleted, dyed, chemically enhanced, or synthetic-treated seeds.
What you plant should be as pure as the medicine it becomes.

About Burdock (Gobo)

Burdock is a powerful biennial root plant grown for thousands of years as both a medicinal herb and nourishing food crop. Known as Gobo in Japanese cuisine, this plant produces long, deep taproots prized for their earthy flavor and traditional wellness uses.

Burdock is a true soil builder and detox garden plant, sending its roots deep into the earth, loosening compacted soil, and drawing up minerals. Its massive leaves, tall flowering stalks, and iconic burrs make it a bold and striking presence in the garden.

This is a dual-purpose plant — food and medicine.

Traditional & Herbal Uses

Burdock has been traditionally used as:

• A deep root tonic
• A classic cleansing plant
• A nourishing food herb
• A traditional blood-supporting plant
• A grounding botanical
• A digestive-supporting root
• A strengthening herb
• A foundational wellness plant

The root is the primary medicinal and culinary portion and is traditionally harvested in the first year.

Plant Characteristics

Botanical Name: Arctium lappa
Life Cycle: Biennial
Growth Habit: Large leafy rosette in year one; tall flowering stalk in year two
Mature Height: 3–6 feet
Mature Width: 2–4 feet
Leaf Size: Very large
Flower Color: Purple
Seed Type: Burr-like seed heads
Attracts: Pollinators

Burdock is bold, wild, and incredibly resilient.

Growing Burdock from Seed

Burdock is easy to grow and thrives in deep, loose soil. It prefers being direct sown and does not like having its roots disturbed.

How to Germinate Burdock Seeds

Direct Sowing (Recommended)

  1. Sow seeds ¼–½ inch deep.

  2. Space seeds 12–18 inches apart.

  3. Water gently.

  4. Keep soil moist until germination.

Indoor Starting (Optional)

  1. Start seeds 4–6 weeks before last frost.

  2. Use deep containers.

  3. Transplant very young to avoid disturbing the taproot.

Germination Time

• 7–14 days
• Fast and reliable

Ideal Growing Conditions

USDA Zones

Zones 3–9

Sun

• Full sun preferred
• Tolerates partial shade

Soil

• Deep
• Loose
• Well-draining
• Sandy or loamy

Avoid rocky or compacted soil if growing for root harvest.

Water

• Moderate watering
• Drought tolerant once established

Spacing

• Space plants 18–24 inches apart
• Needs room for deep root growth

Growth Timeline

Year 1:
• Leaf rosette forms
• Deep taproot develops
• Root is at peak harvest stage

Year 2:
• Tall flower stalk
• Burr formation
• Seed production
• Root becomes woody

Harvesting

Roots (Primary Harvest)

Harvest in the first year for best texture and potency.

  1. Loosen soil deeply.

  2. Pull carefully.

  3. Wash thoroughly.

  4. Slice and dry or use fresh.

Leaves

Young leaves can be harvested early in the season.

Seed Saving

  1. Allow burrs to fully mature and dry.

  2. Harvest seed heads.

  3. Break apart carefully.

  4. Store seeds cool, dark, and dry.

Why Grow Burdock?

• Legendary medicinal root
• Dual-purpose food and medicine
• Extremely hardy
• Easy to grow
• Soil-loosening taproot
• Pollinator friendly
• Long storage root
• Powerful homestead plant
• Great for permaculture

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