Press seeds onto the surface of moist potting soil and cold stratify (between -4\u00b0C and 4\u00b0C) for 60 days. Then expose them to temperatures of 18\u00b0C-20\u00b0C, when the seeds usually germinate in 1-2 weeks. Transplant the seedlings to the garden when they are 5 cm high, keeping a distance of at least 30 cm between them, rather than 45 cm.<\/p>\n
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Rudbeckia laciniata, Asteraceae<\/strong><\/p>\n sochan, cutleaf coneflower<\/p>\n Rudbeckia laciniata is a large perennial plant native to North America which, in addition to the spectacle of its yellow flowers with edible petals at the end of the season, gives us a delicious green vegetable in spring (stems and leaves). In Cherokee tradition, this plant is called Sochan<\/em> and this is an opportunity to highlight this native food heritage, too often overlooked. This Southeastern U.S. tradition inspires us to eat this perennial green vegetable, which is very tasty, quite delicate and very nutritious too... It's said to be rich in vitamin C and folic acid. Here in Kamouraska, we eat it from mid-May to mid-June... At that time, it's stems and leaves, and we prepare it as if it were kale. It's not at all the same botanical family, but the parts used are the same: stems and leaves, perfect for a light stir-fry or raw and finely chopped in a salad.<\/p>\n We often see the 'Herbstsonne' cultivar in gardens, and in the countryside, in older gardens, the 'Golden Glow' cultivar with its perfectly double flowers... these 2 cultivars are less invasive than the type species we offer here, which reproduces abundantly by seed (unless you harvest said seed, of course). It's worth pointing out that it's a tough nut to crack, and can be grown without a care in any average garden soil... it looks good in both sun and half-shade, and although it prefers moist soil, it tolerates lack of water relatively well in summer. It also makes a long, beautiful cut flower. Each individual will grow up to 7 feet (213 cm) high, occupying 3 feet (91 cm) wide, before starting to spread by its rhizomes... Hardy in zone 3.<\/p>\n 50-55 seeds<\/p>\n