The blood dock, which grows up to 60 cm high, is not only used as an easy-care food plant or medicinal herb. With its red-veined leaves it is also very decorative and is increasingly being used as a hardy ornamental plant in home flower gardens.
Is the blood dock suitable for the winter?
Yes, the blood dock is hardy and can survive temperatures down to -20°C without special protection. Outdoors it does not require any special winter care. However, the roots of potted plants should be protected, for example by wrapping the planter with heat-insulating material.
Its natural home is the temperate climate zones of the northern hemisphere, it has adapted well to this climate and is hardy there. It can survive temperatures down to around minus 20 ° C without special winter protection.
Sowing and harvesting the blood dock
From March to April, sow purple dock in moist, humus-rich soil. After about two weeks the first seedlings appear and from June you can harvest the first young leaves. Choose a shady or partially shady location. The more ideal the location, the less care the blood dock needs.
How to benefit and use blood dock?
The young leaves of the blood dock are mainly used, but only in small quantities, because blood dock contains oxalic acid, which in large doses damages the kidneys. You can refine salads or omelettes with blood dock. Prepared like spinach, blood dock makes a delicious vegetable side dish. However, it should only be steamed briefly.
How to care for blood dock in winter?
Blood sorrel in the open field does not require any special winter care or protection against frost. However, after a harsh winter, it gratefully accepts an extra portion of fertilizer. Use organic fertilizer if there is well-rotted compost or horn shavings. On frost-free days you should water your blood dock a little, even in winter.
The situation is different if you have planted your blood dock in a pot, because the roots are less well protected from frost than in the open field. To prevent the roots from freezing and causing lasting damage to the plant, carefully wrap the planter on all sides with heat-insulating material (€75.00 at Amazon). An old blanket, bubble wrap or special fleece are suitable for this.
The most important things in brief:
- hardy
- up to 60 cm high
- humous 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
Tip
Sorrel tastes milder than sorrel and is also more tolerable, but can be used in a similar way.
