When to plant

• Set out plants about 1 week after your average last spring frost.

Hardy to zone 7 (6 with winter wrapping). Grow in a pot and bring it in elsewhere.

Frost dates depend on where you live. Enter your ZIP code to get exact dates.

Dates by zone: 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b

Growing basics

Harmful to pets. The leaves and milky sap irritate cats' and dogs' mouths, stomachs, and skin.

Sun

Full sun (6+ hours)

Spacing

10–15 ft

Soil temperature

At least 60°F

Containers

At least 15 gallons

Plant family

Other

Harvest per plant

About 15 lb

Companions

Keep apart: Horseradish. Horseradish spreads aggressively. Give it its own spot.

Keep apart: Mint. Mint spreads aggressively into neighbors. Keep it in a pot.

Keep apart: Fennel (bulb). Fennel slows the growth of most garden plants. Grow it on its own.

Keep apart: Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke). Sunchokes spread aggressively and shade neighbors.

Pests and problems

Grow it well

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