Ashwagandha, African Ecotype (Withania somnifera) seeds, organic
$4.95
Family: Nightshade (Solanaceae)
Hardy to Zones 8 to 12, otherwise grown as a 110 day annual
Perennial, grown as an annual in the temperate north. Native to Africa, this is an ecotype with large leaves and very fast growth. Traditional usage (Dawa za Asili): energy and sexual tonic. Plant prefers full sun, fast-draining, alkaline (pH 7.5 to 8.0) soil and dryish conditions. Sweeten regular garden soil with ground limestone. Light dependent germinator. Sow in early spring indoors or in the greenhouse. Average germ time 15 days. Space 1 foot apart–grows 2 to 3 feet tall, producing eventually the lantern-like pods enclosing the pea-sized fruits, green at first and becoming bright red as the inflated calyx dries and becomes transparent.
Packet contains 50 seeds
1 g contains ~650 seeds
5 g contains ~3,250 seeds
10 g contains ~6,500 seeds
Certified Organically Grown
Question
Kriste Sutch –
I live in a 6a-6b zone. Will my ashwagandha make it thru winter if I dig it up and bring it in? Or is it better to harvest what root I have and call it a year?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Kriste, It is better to dig it up the root and use it–this is grown like an annual in a Zone 6 garden. Hint: wash the root and snip it into small pieces while still fresh, then dry it. richo
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Donna –
Any luck in zone 9?
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Richo Cech –
hi donna, yes, if you double-click on the photo you’ll get the monograph that gives the zone recommendations: Hardy to Zones 8 to 12, otherwise grown as a 110 day annual
The good thing about ashwagandha and a zone 9 is that the plant is going to perennialize there. That means you can dig at the end of the growing cycle in the second year and get a lot more root for your effort. richo
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Question
jeff symonds –
the african ashwaganda is the medicinal part the root and can it be grown as a annual in zone 4.
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Richo Cech –
Hi Jeff,
This is a large and vigorous ecotype I collected originally in Kenya. The local people use the root and young plants are preferred–the roots are less woody that way. You can grow it as an annual. Dig root after first frost. richo
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Dana Blanton –
Do you ferment ashwagandha berries to save the seed or just wash them?
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Richo Cech –
good question. I haven’t tried fermentation but it would probably be good. I put the fresh red berries with a little water and blend them in the blender and then flotate. wow, do I get clean seed that way. the blender doesn’t hurt the seeds. r
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Rebecca –
Hi. Ive noticed you recommend drying Ashwagandha root before tincturing in your book Making Plant Medicine. What is the reason for not tincturing it fresh? Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge!
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Richo Cech –
Hi Rebecca,
Remember that this is in the Solanacea and contains toxic elements that are ameliorated by the drying process. If you go to India, not only is the root not used fresh, it is cured in cow urine as well as dehydrating, but we’ve been skipping the cow urine part. Dry your ashwagandha before use. Best to GRIND it in the fresh state as it is very hard to grind once dried whole. Richo
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