The up to 60 cm high blood dock is not only used as an easy-care edible plant or medicinal herb. With its red-veined leaves, it is also very ornamental and is finding increasing use as a hardy ornamental in domestic flower gardens.

Blood dock tolerates temperatures down to -20°C

Its natural home is in the temperate climate zones of the northern hemisphere. It has adapted well to this climate and is also hardy there. It survives temperatures down to about minus 20 ° C without special winter protection.

Sowing and harvesting of the blood dock

From March to April, sow blood docks in moist, humus-rich soil. After about two weeks, the first seedlings will appear and you can harvest the first young leaves from June. Choose a shady or semi-shady location. The more ideal the location, the less maintenance the blood dock needs.

How to utilize and use blood dock?

Mainly the young leaves of the sorrel are used, but only in small amounts, because sorrel contains oxalic acid, which damages the kidneys in large doses. Refine salads or omelettes with blood dock. Prepared like spinach, blood sorrel makes a tasty side dish. However, it should only be steamed for a short time.

How is blood dock cared for in winter?

Outdoor sorrel requires neither special winter care nor protection against frost. However, after a harsh winter, it gratefully accepts an extra portion of fertilizer. Use organic fertilizer, if available well-rotted compost or horn shavings.

The situation is different if you have planted your sorrel in a bucket, because there the roots are less well protected from frost than outdoors. To ensure that the roots do not freeze and the plant is permanently damaged, carefully wrap the planter on all sides with heat-insulating material. An old blanket, bubble wrap or special fleece are suitable for this.

The essentials in brief:

  • hardy
  • up to 60 cm high
  • humic and moist soil
  • shady to semi-shady location
  • Sowing: March to April
  • Germination time: approx. 2 weeks
  • Harvest: around June and July
  • Use as a medicinal herb, edible and ornamental plant

tips

Blood sorrel tastes milder than sorrel and is also easier to digest, but can be used in a similar way.

Category:

Herbs