{"product_id":"watanabe-early-burdock","title":"Watanabe Early Burdock (Gobo), Heirloom Seeds","description":"\u003ch1\u003eWatanabe Early Burdock (Gobo), Heirloom Seeds — The Home Garden-Friendly Japanese Gobo With Tender 12–16\" Roots\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003cp\u003eWatanabe Early Burdock (\u003cem\u003eArctium lappa\u003c\/em\u003e) is an early, light-skinned Japanese heirloom gobo bred for home gardens. Where Takinogawa produces roots up to 3 feet long, Watanabe Early produces crisp, tender roots just 12–16 inches — a manageable size for raised beds without sacrificing the rich, earthy flavor that makes gobo one of Japan’s most beloved vegetables. Non-GMO, heirloom, cool-season annual. 75–85 days. \u003cstrong\u003eImportant:\u003c\/strong\u003e Once established, burdock is persistent and difficult to remove — choose your planting location carefully.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eArctium lappa\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAlso known as:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gobo, Edible Burdock\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75–85 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to germination:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–7 days (soak 24 hrs to improve)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoot length:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12–16 inches; light tan skin, white flesh\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlavor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich, earthy; young roots mild enough to eat raw\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant height:\u003c\/strong\u003e Up to 3 feet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeed depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Uncovered (needs light to germinate)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 plant per sq ft (4–6 inch spacing)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fertile, well-draining; avoid heavy clay\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eActive compounds:\u003c\/strong\u003e Quercetin, inulin (antioxidants)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–10\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heirloom, open-pollinated, non-GMO, cool-season annual\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy Grow Watanabe Early Burdock?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHome garden-friendly size\u003c\/strong\u003e — 12–16\" roots fit raised beds and standard garden plots\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEarly maturing\u003c\/strong\u003e — faster harvest than Takinogawa; same rich gobo flavor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFresh salad variety\u003c\/strong\u003e — used raw in Japan; pleasant earthy aroma\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCulinary \u0026amp; medicinal\u003c\/strong\u003e — centuries of use in soups, stir-fries, pickling, teas, and skin formulations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eImproves clay soil drainage\u003c\/strong\u003e — deep taproot penetrates heavy subsoil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOpen-pollinated heirloom\u003c\/strong\u003e — save seed year after year\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eIn the Kitchen\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKimpira Gobo:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shave burdock and julienne carrots; stir-fry in sesame oil with soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, and hot peppers — the definitive Japanese gobo dish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFresh salad:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shave thin and dress with sesame oil and citrus\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTempura:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slice thin and fry in light tempura batter for a crisp, earthy bite\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePickling:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slice and pickle in rice vinegar with sugar and salt\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoups \u0026amp; stews:\u003c\/strong\u003e Add to miso soup, nabe, or braised dishes for depth and nutrition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrep tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rub off the bark with the back of a knife. Soak slices in water 2 hours to remove bitterness before cooking.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDirect sow in spring or fall in a sunny location with deep, loose, fertile soil. Soak seeds 24 hours in warm water before sowing to improve germination. Cover very lightly — burdock needs light to germinate. Thin weak seedlings. Pinch off flowers as they appear to encourage root production. Mulch to suppress weeds.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Roots ready when 12–16 inches long. Keep extra soil on harvested roots to prolong freshness. Young roots can be eaten raw.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePacked and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor, resilience, and your garden’s success.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","offers":[{"title":"0.2 g \/ 15+ Seeds","offer_id":41712334012550,"sku":"TLM\/E2-15-80-1125-30","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2669\/3330\/files\/burdock-roots-on-cutting-board.png?v=1786681862","url":"https:\/\/bgseedsllc.com\/products\/watanabe-early-burdock","provider":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}