Crosne: varieties, growing and uses

The small tubers are the aim

Stachys affinis is a herbaceous perennial with square stems and rough opposite leaves. It is neither a woody tree nor an ordinary large artichoke. Small tubers grow underground; keep the area manageable to find them. A separate pot simplifies the trial and later collection. Check that purchased tubers are for cultivation, and plant promptly rather than leaving them to dry on a windowsill.

A small harvest needs careful cleaning

Soil can lodge between constrictions. Wash and brush the little tubers gently and try a small portion raw where appropriate or briefly cooked. Their shape and mild taste can add bite without needing many. Harvest shortly before use rather than filling a deep basket left for days. Collect small tubers too when clearing the bed for another crop. For crosne next season, deliberately set aside healthy identifiable planting tubers.

Scent, flavour and use

General crop flavour: mild and nutty according to Vreeken, with a fine, crisp bite. A comparison with a light nutty note is more useful than a strong flavour promise; no separately named flavour variety is given here.

Care, cutting and harvesting

Plant healthy small tubers in spring in a sunny position with humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Keep the patch accessible and contain the crop, as tubers left behind can sprout again.

No fruit pruning: manage foliage and surviving tubers according to growing and harvest needs. Check for volunteer plants next season.

Harvest after the growing season as foliage dies back, in small amounts for use. The tubers are winter-hardy in suitable conditions, but wet soil and inaccessible frozen ground can hinder harvesting.