Bunium bulbocastanum
Earth chestnut
Common names: Earth hazelnut, Knollenkümmel
Photo: Jan Kops · Public Domain · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
Earth chestnut (Bunium bulbocastanum) is a tuberous umbellifer and a true rarity in the vegetable garden. Underground it forms a hazelnut- to walnut-sized tuber with a chestnut-like flavor, eaten raw or cooked. Its fine, cumin-like seeds are used as a spicy seasoning for bread, soups, and stews. The plant requires patience: it takes two to three years for the tubers to grow to a substantial size before they can be harvested.
Care instructions
Plant in loose, deep soil to allow the tuber to develop freely. Sow directly outdoors in autumn, around mid-October (week 42), as the seeds need a cold stimulus to germinate. Keep the site moderately moist but avoid waterlogging, and mulch regularly in the first months to suppress weeds, as young seedlings struggle to compete. Mark the planting area well, as the perennial plant is disturbed easily during digging or turning. Harvest earliest in the second autumn, but usually only in the third autumn after the foliage has died back.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, lime-loving, sandy, dry
Feeding
Light feeder
Companion planting
Good neighbors
amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae)
Umbellifers and alliums confuse each other's pests (carrot fly, onion fly).
For example GarlicOnionLeekChivesDaffodilRocambole and 12 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
daisy family (Asteraceae)
Calendula and Tagetes next to carrots keep the carrot fly away with their scent.
For example Head lettuceTagetes patulaCalendulaSunflowerCommon coneflowerFall Aster and 57 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
cabbage family (Brassicaceae)
You can pair celery and dill with all Brassicaceae because they repel the cabbage whitefly with their scent, a proven companion.
For example White cabbageKohlrabiRadishKalebroccolicauliflower and 34 more species in the catalogue
Source: Bio-Gärtnerei Mixed-culture Practice
legume family (Fabaceae)
Peas and beans provide carrot and celery with nitrogen and grow as shallow-rooted plants without competition next to each other.
For example PeaBush beanPole beanBroad beanMarker peaSugar pea and 31 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
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