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AGRETTO (Roscana/Barba di Frata) Salsola Soda GOLDEN LINE
Product Description
NO Western Australia - TAS YES
This sought after unusual vegetable has been imported only 3 times to Australia. It is very seasonal in Italy, with planting in the Northern Hemisphere March to July (September to January here) and harvest June to October (December to April here). I recommend that you plant it as soon as possible, preferably as soon as received.
Also known as Barba di Frate, Salsola Soda, and Roscano, Agretti is an annual with long, chive-like foliage. It is very popular in Italy and has become the latest trend in high-end Italian restaurants. When mature (50 or so days) Agretti is a 45cm wide, 60cm tall bush that looks like a huge chive plant or rosemary plant. Flavour is a bit bitter, a bit sourish. You can just braise them in some olive oil with garlic and serve as a side dish. You can also boil them and dress with olive oil.
Plant from spring through summer, when soil temperatures reach at least18 degrees (make sure the soil temp is consistent!). Soak seeds overnight 24 hours before sowing. Sow and cover with 1cm soil. Space seeds 10cm apart. Thin to one plant 30 apart in row or raised bed. Germination time: 7-10 days. I would make sure the soil type is free draining, sandy loam, composted soil or raised beds and pots. Soil temperature really needs to be consistent before planting. Heat pad could help with pots.
Start cutting from the plants when they are about 20cm tall. Cut the green tops or sections of the plant; it then will regrow. 10 gram packet contains approximately 330 seeds. Minimum germination 65 percent but seed germination falls off rapidly with time and I can offer no guarantee of success. I will plant a bed and report back.
Have a look at the second half of the video below for information on growing Agretto.